As reported by Ram Reports on August 3, 2024, Iran has recently installed several Russian long-range electronic warfare systems, including the Murmansk-BN, in strategic locations across the country. The Murmansk-BN system, one of Russia’s most powerful jamming communication systems, can conduct radio reconnaissance, intercept, and suppress enemy signals throughout the short-wave range, with an operational reach of up to 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. This installation comes amid rising tensions with Israel, following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
As of August 5, 2024, the situation between Iran and Israel is highly tense and volatile. The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Israel is suspected of carrying out, has significantly escalated tensions. This event follows the killing of a Hezbollah military official in Beirut by Israeli forces. Tehran has threatened significant retaliation against Israel, along with its proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, while Israel has warned of severe retaliatory measures against any such aggression.
The latest report about Iran’s deployment of the Murmansk-BN system emerged after continuous flights of Russian transport aircraft between Russia and Iran were observed through flight tracking applications such as Flight Radar. These flights are suspected of transporting various unknown weapon systems to Iran. The Murmansk-BN system is not only the most powerful electronic warfare (EW) system in the Russian military but also one of the most advanced globally. It can jam and intercept enemy radio signals, GPS, communications, and satellite systems, rendering “smart” munitions and drone systems ineffective.
The Murmansk-BN is an electronic warfare system developed by the Russian company KRET, intended for long-range communications jamming. It was introduced into service in 2014 and is designed to disrupt NATO and U.S. high-frequency military satellite communications, with a jamming range of 5,000 to 8,000 km. The system includes multiple vehicle-mounted antenna masts, using Kamaz trucks and trailers, each extending up to 32 meters, covering an area of 640,000 km². The Murmansk-BN can intercept and suppress HF signals across the 3-30 MHz range, used by warships and aircraft. Deployment time is 72 hours, and it has impacted U.S. stealth fighter operations over the Black and Baltic Seas by interfering with their avionics. The system operates as part of a network-centric capability within the Russian EW command and control system.