WANA (Feb 21) – Iran has unveiled the “Sayyad 3-G” air defense missile, a naval variant of the Sayyad 3-F, during the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy’s “Smart Control” exercise in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Footage released from the drill showed the missile launched from the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi, the third vessel of the Shahid Soleimani-class warships. The vessel, among the IRGC Navy’s most advanced platforms, is equipped with large vertical launch system (VLS) silos capable of carrying six Sayyad 3-G missiles.

 

With a stated range of 150 kilometers, the missile falls into the medium-to-long-range category. It is designed to intercept fighter jets, high-altitude drones, support aircraft, maritime patrol planes, and certain cruise threats.

 

The deployment enables the vessel to establish a 150-kilometer air defense bubble—particularly significant in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy and maritime transit chokepoint.

 

The vertical launch capability provides 360-degree coverage without launcher reorientation, reduces reaction time, supports rapid sequential firing against saturation attacks, and enhances survivability in complex engagements.

 

According to officials, the system can operate independently using the ship’s onboard radar or integrate into a unified command-and-control network, receiving targeting data from external sensors. This dual-mode capability extends operational reach, improves situational awareness, and allows engagement beyond the vessel’s direct line of sight.

 

The operational deployment of the Sayyad 3-G marks a significant development in Iran’s sea-based air defense architecture, expanding its long-range defensive capabilities in maritime environments.