| Shahin | |
| Type: | surface-to-air missile |
| Origin: | Iran[1] [2] [3] [4] |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 2011-present |
| Rate: | 123 rounds/min |
| Vehicle Range: | 70-150 km |
| Speed: | supersonic |
| Propellant: | solid fuel |
| Launch Platform: | Mersad |
The Shahin (Persian: شاهین) missile is an Iranian supersonic mid-range[2] [3] [4] low[2] to mid-altitude[1] [2] [4] surface-to-air missile (SAM). It is an Iranian version of the American MIM-23 Hawk[1] [2] [3] [4] and is thus designed for use with the Mersad air defense system.[1] [4]
The Shahin missiles were developed as part of a domestic weapons program that Iran started in 1992 in response to increasing American sanctions against Iran.[3] The Shahin missiles were first unveiled in April 2010.[3] They were then tested on November 16, 2010 along with the Mersad air defense system during the war games Defenders of the Sky of the Velayat III, the maneuvers were themselves carried out to prepare for a hypothetical Israeli assault on Iranian nuclear facilities.[2] The missile was tested again on 13 June 2011,[1] [4] shortly before entering service.
The missile is considered low[2] to mid-altitude[1] [2] [4] and mid-range[2] [3] [4] low[2] with a range of 70-150[1] km. The missile is also suggested to be supersonic by various sources. Iranian sources suggest that the missile is somewhat indigenous[1] [4] with upgraded guidance, launcher, advanced radar signal processing technology and advanced guidance systems.[1] [2] [3] [4] Iranians also suggest that it has some Anti-ballistic missile capability.[4] The shahin missile possesses a thin yet cylindrical body with four long chord clipped delta wings, an opening at the end also exists which runs from the boat tail to the middle.[4]