WANA (Jan 12) – The 2025 Air Defense Drill, led by the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, began early this morning (Sunday, January 12, 2025) in the air defense zones of western and northern Iran.

 

This joint exercise, launched in recent days under the code name “Ya Ali Ibn Abi Talib (A),” focuses on the Army’s Air Defense Force and is conducted under the command and coordination of the country’s integrated air defense network. The drill commenced at dawn today in the air defense zones of Fordow and Khandab.

 

The 2025 Air Defense Drill, carried out under entirely realistic conditions, involves missile units, radar systems, “Basirat Plan” observers, electronic warfare units, FASHA systems, air defense deception mechanisms, and both manned and unmanned Air Force aircraft performing offensive and defensive missions.

The primary objectives of the exercise include accurately assessing the operational effectiveness of air defense plans against enemy attacks, ensuring comprehensive situational awareness, achieving the ability to promptly detect incoming threats using active radar sensors and passive signal interception, optical systems, and ground-based observers. The drill also evaluates the tactical and technical performance of operational and technical personnel in realistic combat scenarios and practices non-passive air defense principles with an emphasis on rapid mobility.

 

During the exercise, the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force deploys its operational resources to protect vital areas, sensitive sites, and mission-critical centers. It responds to simulated aerial and missile attacks by detecting, identifying, intercepting, engaging, and neutralizing hypothetical enemy forces under the direction of the integrated air defense network, thwarting offensive operations in the Fordow and Khandab regions.