Imagery from Iran media depicting joint meeting held 04APR2017 between members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Parliament, Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan and ministry officials at the headquarters of the Defense Industries Organization (DIO) of the Ministry of Defense and Logistics (MODAFL).
Parliamentarians inspect display model of an Iranian guided artillery rocket
What appears to be an Iranian rendering of the Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), possibly based on unit captured by allied LH forces in southern Lebanon.
Alaeddin Boroujerd, chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (center) appearing to be briefed on the QW-1M type MANPADS.
The chairman being shown an Iranian MASAF assault rifle carbine, featuring an M4-pattern lower receiver fitted with HK416 details including operating rod, raised optics rail and grooved barrel nut.
Parliamentarians inspect AK-103 type assault rifle apparently fitted with AKM-type magazine
Iran media imagery dated 12MAR2017 of public unveiling of production series T-72 Karrar ("Striker") main battle tank, an upgrade package evidently heavily inspired or assembled as kit based on the Russian T-90MS type:
MODAFL Minister Brig. Gen. Dehghan at the unveiling ceremony in Tehran. It is thought Iran may upgrade its stocks of T-72 MBTs to Karrar specifications. Moreover this upgrade would see Iran's ground forces through to the end of embargo period (as stipulated by JCPOA) and possibly beyond. Determining the extent of T-72 stocks to be upgraded remains dependent on sufficient IRIG funding.
T-72 Karrar utilizes detachable ERA modules in a turret arrangement similar to the T-90MS, with enlarged ERA modules applied to the glacis.
Detail of ERA module turret arrangement and side hull protection for the crew compartment
Evident in this view are louver panels to protect power pack compartment and turret rear, similar if not identical to the T-90MS. Turret fitted with RWS equipped with 7.62 mm MG, thermal imager, day sight optic and laser rangefinder.
Much to see in this view, including: gunner sight day sight and thermal imager, small searchlight at gunner hatch, driver camera system featuring day/night optics, smoke dischargers and LED headlights.
Polygonal metal sleeve seen fitted to main armament gun barrel. Also evident are updated track front fenders. Just visible is the tank commander sight.
Slight differences from example previously publicized include different RWS armament and track front fenders. Also, camera system for driver is absent.
Good view of ERA module arrangement for T-72 Karrar MBT
Iran media presentation depicted the Karrar upgrade as indigenously designed, offering samples of CAD imagery. It is at this point open to debate as to whether this is a Russian-supplied upgrade kit or possibly a product of Russo-Iranian cooperation. Should this upgrade package--or parts of it-- be found marketed elsewhere, then origin might better be ascertained.
Upgrade assembly at Bani-Hashem Armored Complex include image of Karrar turret. Interestingly, there are no Iran media images of turret manufacture.
Imagery of bare Karrar turrets, arranged for assembly
Line of T-72 hulls with road wheels attached. Interestingly, the power packs have been removed. The question of whether Karrar package includes a new power pack is another aspect of the upgrade to be ascertained.
Imagery of hull with road wheels removed, yet ERA modules and rear-located protective louvers installed
Imagery of Karrar upgrade turret with main armament fitted and ERA modules attached
Another image of Karrar upgrade turret, with ERA modules being fitted
Apparently a different assembly order in place at Bani-Hashem Armored Complex. Note hinged rear section of turret.
Main armament fitment into Karrar upgrade turret
Significant to the Karrar upgrade package is the new fire control system (FCS). Origin of upgraded FCS is another unknown. Note adapted Panasonic CF-19 and apparent crudeness of interior detail, including common wingnut hardware.
Display featuring digitized vehicle instrumentation; source unknown. Whether or not digital instrumentation is an adaption to existing power pack or points to a new unit, is at this point undetermined.
Alternate screen of same display. Date shown suggests this is file footage from last year.
Display rendering from camera system day sight optic
For the second year Iran participated in the International Defense Exhibition in Iraq (IQDEX 2017), held in Baghdad from 5 to 7 March 2017. Iran exhibitors included IRI Ministry of Defense, Marine Industries Organization, National Geographic Organization, Shahid Meisami Group, Defense Industries Organization and Aviation Industries Organization. Also exhibiting was Iran-allied Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit.
Of note, Iran arms exports are still subject to restriction per JCPOA and UNSC. Seemingly only in Iraq can Iranian and American arms vendors solicit sales in the same locale.
Below is open-source imagery of the exhibitors:
From Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) exhibitor space: promotional poster of Pirooz ("Victory") anti-armor vehicle system. Iranian ATGM platform utilizes Dehlavieh (Kornet-E) launchers with mobility rendered by Karivan Aras ("Even") tactical vehicle.
Ad slick for Pirooz ("Victory") anti-armor vehicle system
From Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) exhibitor space: promotional materials for Toofan ("Typhoon") BGM-71 TOW variant, Raad ("Thunder") AT-3 variant and Saeghe ("Lightning") M47 variant anti-tank guided missiles.
Behind the Toofan display are examples of Misagh ("Covenant") MANPADS launcher and missile.
In the background can be seen exhibitor space for Iran's Aviation Industries Organization.
Exhibitor space for Iran-allied Popular Mobilization Force. Displayed weapon types include 107 mm multiple rocket launcher, Ashtar rocket and explosively formed penetrators (EFPs). EFPs are particularly notorious for use by Iran-backed armed groups against coalition vehicles during the military occupation of Iraq.
Iran-allied PMU exhibitor space promotional banners are titled "Technical Directorate for Military Production," likely related to political efforts intended to officially include Popular Mobilization Force within Iraq's military and security establishment.
Iraqi PMU representatives similar in appearance to Lebanese Hezbollah and IRGC
Iraqi Military Industries display what appears to be local variant of Iranian AM50 (HS .50) single-shot anti-materiel sniper rifle.
Above image noteworthy as rendered on promotional brochure for IQDEX2017. Image depicts a smiling Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Othman Al-Ghanami, touring Iran's DIO exhibitor space during IQDEX2016.
The promotional brochure for IQDEX2017 also featured this image of Iran's DIO exhibitor space fromg IQDEX2016.
Publicity images from a 07MAR2017 ceremony publicizing the IHSRC Saba-248 utility helicopter. Saba is twin-engined with four rotor blades and a seating capacity of eight, giving it the numerical type "248".
Superficially, IHSRC Saba-248 utility helicopter appears to be a mix of Agusta A109E Power and Bell 206 JetRanger, with recognizable influence from the Bell 429 GlobalRanger.
Indeed, the Saba-248 appears to recycle as core, former Tara Air Agusta A109E Power reg. EP-TRB (MSN 11007), that was damaged in a 03OCT 2015 crash. [source: Babak Taghvaee]
Official Iranian claims for this helicopter as being" indigenously designed and manufactured" are assumed based on domestic political considerations, given that Iran has been prevented from acquiring new aircraft for an extended period.
Fabricated composite replacement sections bear resemblance to the Bell 429 GlobalRanger, such as the nose and lower rear fuselage swoop. Replacement doors also of composite construction.
IHSRC Saba-248 claims greater duration than its Agusta A109E core, a result of reduced weight and possibly enlarged fuel tank capacity.
Fabricated composite tail boom appears to utilize a Bell 206 JetRanger type vertical and horizontal stabilizer.
Retractable landing gear from the Augusta A109E core removed in favor of a simplified tubular landing skid setup.
Also simplified is the windshield design and fitment.
Windshield wiper feature of Augusta A109E core absent on Saba-248.
Cockpit instrumentation and controls taken from Augusta A109E core.
Locally reupholstered seats and carpeting featured in cockpit and cabin sections.
View of helicopter assembly inside facility of Iranian Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (IHSRC).
Tara Air Agusta A109E Power reg. EP-TRB (MSN 11007)
VIDEO:
Photos: Tasnim News, MOD.ir, "reza sh" and collection of Babak Taghvaee
Iran media imagery dated 22FEB2017 depicting phase 2 and 3 of IRGC-GF "Great Prophet 11" exercise, performed in the desert region of central and northeastern Iran.
IRGC-GF mechanized force, possibly elements of 21st "Imam Reza" Armored Brigade
IRGC-GF T-72 type main battle tank with BMP-2 type infantry fighting vehicle
Foreground: IRGC-GF major with a chief warrant officer at his side
VIDEOS:
Photos: Mahmood Hosseini at Tasnim News Agency Asghar Khamseh at Mehr News Agency Armin Karami at Fars News Agency Moshen Ranginkaman at Defa Press Islamic Republic News Agency
