The Islamic Republic of Iran has taken complete delivery of five battalions of the potent S-300PMU2 "Favorit" air defense missile system made in Russia.

The delivery will allow Iran to at last create its long-cherished anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) defensive network covering the Persian Gulf and the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian A2/AD system in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz will be severe threat to United States' allies in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, Iran's staunchest foe.

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It might prove strategically intolerable for the U.S., which has consistently championed freedom of navigation in international waters.

The completion of the S-300PMU2 delivery validates a previous statement by Sergei Chemezov, CEO of state-run arms dealer Rostec Corporation, that Rostec will deliver the entire order by this year. The missile system was built by Almaz-Antey, one of Russia's major makers of air defense systems and part of the Rostec group. Iran paid $1 billion for its S-300PMU2 system.

The sharp end of this surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, rated as one of the world's best, is its Russian-made 48N6E SAM. These missiles have a maximum range of 150 kilometers and can reach a maximum altitude of 30 km.

The 48N6E is a vertical tube launched, solid fuel, single-stage, highly maneuverable SAM designed to shoot down aircraft, cruise missiles, UAVs and Theater Ballistic Missiles such as the U.S. THAAD with its high fragmentation warhead.

Its radars can operate amid electronic clutter and jamming. The system is fully automated, but manual observation and operation are also possible.

Each launcher vehicle carries four missiles with two missiles normally fired at one target within five seconds. A full battalion includes six launcher vehicles with a total of 24 missiles. It also includes command-and-control; long-range radar and engagement radar vehicles.

Iran, therefore, now has over 100 missiles at its disposal, excluding spares.

Russia developed the S-300 system to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles. The S-300 system was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1979 to defend large industrial and administrative facilities, military bases and control airspace against enemy strike aircraft. 

TagsIran, S-300PMU2 "Favorit" air defense missile system, Russia, anti-access/area denial, A2/AD, 48N6E