Iran has recently deployed the “Zoubin”, a new air defense missile system, showcasing one of its most advanced domestically developed air defense technologies. Known as the “Iranian Iron Dome,” the Zoubin is specifically designed to counter a wide range of low-altitude aerial threats that have become increasingly prevalent in modern warfare. With the system’s deployment around Tehran and other strategic areas, Iran aims to strengthen its defenses against threats like drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, artillery shells, low-flying fighter aircraft, and helicopters. This new system reflects Iran’s commitment to self-reliant air defense technology amidst rising tensions and potential aerial incursions.
Built with high tactical mobility, the Iranian-made Zoubin air defense missile system is mounted on a 6×6 truck chassis, allowing for swift repositioning as required by changing threat conditions. This flexibility is coupled with a 360-degree defense capability, which provides broad coverage and adaptability. Citing technical data published by the Iranian defense industry, the Zoubin’s radar is capable of detecting up to 100 targets simultaneously within a 30 km radius and can engage threats within a 20 km range. Each unit is equipped with a vertical-launch canister system holding p to eight missiles, allowing the system to respond to multiple threats at once, a crucial feature in defending against complex, coordinated attacks.
The Zoubin is tailored to address a variety of specific threats. Drones and loitering munitions, increasingly used for both reconnaissance and attack, often approach in swarms or follow erratic paths, making them challenging to intercept. Zoubin’s multi-target tracking and rapid-response features allow it to effectively counter such swarming attacks. Cruise missiles present another major threat due to their low-altitude, high-speed profiles and precision, and Zoubin’s advanced radar and vertical-launch missiles are designed to detect and intercept these missiles before they reach high-value targets. Additionally, the system can target helicopters and low-flying fighter jets, which often attempt to evade radar by flying at low altitudes. Zoubin’s radar and missile engagement range make it particularly effective against these threats, filling a gap that conventional long-range air defense systems might miss.