The Hoveyzeh (Persian: موشک کروز هویزه) is an Iranian designed and built, all-weather, surface-to-surface cruise missile.[1][2] The Hoveyzeh is from the Soumar family of cruise missiles.[3] The missile was unveiled at a defense exhibition in Tehran on 2 February 2019 during celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[1] The Aerospace force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will acquire and be supplied with these missiles.[2]
| Hoveyzeh cruise missile | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Cruise missile |
| Place of origin | Iran |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Used by | Iran |
| Specifications | |
| Propellant | Turbo-jet engine |
Operational range | 1,350 km (839 miles) |
| Flight altitude | Sea-skimming |
Guidance system | Inertial navigation system |
| Accuracy | 1 m |
Launch platform | Multiple Launch Rocket System |
The surface-to-surface cruise missile is capable of low altitude flight and has a range of 1,350 km, with the ability to strike ground targets with high precision and accuracy.[3][4]
Name
editThe Hoveyzeh surface-to-surface cruise missile is named in honor of the Iranian town of Hoveyzeh in the Khuzestan Province. The city sustained heavy casualties and ubiquitous damage during the war and was a victim of chemical weapons used by Iraqi forces during the Iran–Iraq War.[2][3]
Development
editThe Hoveyzeh is a part of the Soumar cruise missile family, which was unveiled in 2015 with the first missile of the family being the Soumar which had a range of 700 km.[3] Although this claim is disputed by some media outlets claiming that due to the missile's similarities with the Kh-55, acquired from Ukraine in 2001, that the Soumar missile has a range of 2,000–3,000 km.[5] It is believed that the Hoveizeh is either an upgrade to or has been developed from the Soumar.
It was unveiled and displayed to the public on 2 February 2019 at a Tehran defense exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.[1] The missile was put into service and will be supplied to the Aerospace force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[2]
During Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami's interview with the press about the missile, he stated that the missile has been designed and manufactured by Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) with the missile being tested on the day of the unveiling, complemented with video evidence, successfully travelling 1,200 km and striking test targets with precision accuracy.[1][2][4]
Capabilities
edit
Israeli military intelligence website DEBKAfile states that: "Iran has succeeded in producing low-flying cruise missiles that fly to target under the radar."
Operators
edit
Iran – number of units is unknown
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d TOI Staff (2 February 2019). "Times of Israel article titled: "Iran says new cruise missile successfully fired on revolution's 40th anniversary"". Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Iran unveils long-range Hoveyzeh cruise missile". Tehran Times. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d Scarsi, Alice (3 February 2019). "World War 3: Furious Iran taunts US with new cruise missile vowing to 'respond to threats'". Express UK. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ a b Shalem, Diane (2 February 2019). "Neither Israel nor US has the capacity to counter Iran's new cruise missile". DEBKAfile. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- ^ ]https://www.janes.com/article/49935/iran-reveals-new-soumar-ground-launched-cruise-missileJanes Defense]. 2015-03-12. Retrieved 27 May 2019 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
External links
editVideos
- Iran unveils new missile on 40th anniversary of revolution – Euronews (English)
- - YouTube – Ruptly (Persian, not translated to English)
- Iran Test fires 1350 Km range Turbofan jet Hoveizeh Land attack cruise missile موشك كروز هويزه – IRIB (Iranian-state TV, Persian)