Talash

Description: The Talash, 'Struggle' in English, medium-range air defense system has been developed by the Islamic Republic of Iran to shoot down airborne targets flying at high altitudes under its domestic weapons program started in 1992 as a response to the United States arms embargo. This air defense is equipped with the precision-guided, vertically launched Sayyad-2 medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM). The combination Talash missile system and Sayyad 2 missile is intended to counter helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles and high-speed and highly maneuverable fixed-wing aircraft. The missile system itself may be a key element to prevent a potential US and/or allied air strike. The existence of Talash and Sayyad 2 was confirmed by the Islamic Republic of Iran in November 2013. The first live fire tests of the Talash air defense system were conducted prior the November 2013 announcement.

The Talash air defense system utilizing the Mach 4 Sayyad 2 missiles can intercept supersonic airborne targets flying up to 20,000 to 30,000 meters of altitude and at ranges between 50 to 80 kilometers.