Iran’s Ballistic Missile “Qasem Basir”
WANA (Oct 27) – Iran’s new ballistic missile, Qasem Basir, is a capability that the Iranian government says signals a significant advance in Iran’s missile forces and could reshape calculations on future battlefields. Officials describe the weapon as a solid-fuel, precision-guided ballistic system with features designed to defeat modern air- and missile-defense networks.
Solid fuel, long range, sub-meter accuracy
The Ministry of Defense’s Aerospace Industries Organization unveiled Qasem Basir on May 04. According to the announcement, the missile uses solid propellant and is an optimized version of the earlier Haj Qasem design. The developers say the missile has a range of more than 1,200 kilometres, a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 1 metre, and carries a 500-kg warhead.
Iran Unveils Upgraded Qadr and Emad Ballistic Missiles
WANA (Oct 19) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has unveiled upgraded versions of its Qadr and Emad ballistic missiles during a televised program broadcast from one of the country’s underground missile bases. The new precision-guided Qadr missile is now equipped with anti-electronic warfare systems, while the Emad missile has undergone […]
Advanced terminal guidance: thermal imaging seeker
Officials emphasize that Qasem Basir is equipped with an advanced thermal-imaging (optical) seeker for terminal guidance. The seeker, which relies on infrared sensors, is described as capable of identifying and discriminating a primary target among decoys and secondary objects, and of functioning effectively in low-light, cloudy, or dusty conditions. Because the thermal sensor is passive, it does not emit signals and is therefore presented as inherently resistant to radio detection and some forms of electronic interference.
Navigation without GPS, improved maneuverability
The missile’s navigation suite reportedly avoids GPS altogether, relying instead on inertial and combined optical-inertial navigation methods. Iranian engineers say this design increases resilience to jamming and spoofing and allows the system to operate reliably even when satellite navigation is denied. Developers also claim the missile has enhanced maneuverability and a multi-phase flight profile intended to improve its ability to penetrate modern defensive systems.
Americans Will Take Wish to Cut Iran’s Missile Ranges to Their Graves
WANA (Oct 07) – The head of Iran’s Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces said on Wednesday that American calls to reduce Iran’s missile ranges to below 500 kilometres, “The Americans will take that wish to their graves.” Ahmadreza Pourkhaqan, head of the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces, made the remark during a […]
Designed to resist electronic warfare and defeat modern defenses
Iranian statements assert that Qasem Basir has demonstrated strong performance under heavy electronic-warfare conditions and that recent tests — including a trial conducted on April 17 — proved the missile’s robustness. The makers claim the system is capable of defeating a range of advanced missile-defense systems, naming Arrow, THAAD, Iron Dome, and David’s Sling among those it can overcome.
What Tehran says the system means
Iran frames Qasem Basir as the product of years of specialized research and domestic engineering, combining indigenous know-how in propulsion, navigation, and terminal guidance. Officials portray the missile as a “new card” in Iran’s deterrence toolkit — a capability that, while not completely disclosed in public detail, is intended to alter strategic calculations by improving precision, survivability, and independence from satellite navigation.
The optical seeker, mounted on the warhead of the Qasem Basir missile. Social media/ WANA News Agency
