Iran goes hypersonic

Russia and China are two countries that have an array of hypersonic glide vehicles, called HGV, in their possession. Whereas China has only tested HGV, Russia has used quite a number of these in the Ukraine theatre leaving drastic damage and destruction. The news that Iran has tested Fattah HGV is startling. What are the implications?

Russia used "Kinzhals," or daggers hypersonic missile to destroy air defence system and command & control systems in Ukraine. This missile flies as fast as 6,000 kilometres per hour, or at Mach 5. Recently an entire building and the bunker below it, in close proximity of Kiev was completely guttered killing many military leaders of Ukraine and unnamed advisers from foreign countries.

Learning from the Russian HGVs Iran has successfully tested a medium range HGV with a range of 1400 km & terminal speed of Mach 13 to Mach 15. While USA & Israel have dismissed this phenomenal development as fiction and even the defence circles in both countries downplayed the effect in terms of deliverable payload and target zooming, it is clear that Iran has mastered manoeuvrability, attack potential along with speed.

My take is Iran deliberately is suppressing the range. Possibly, this HGV could be double the range capable of reaching even the shores of Adriatic Sea. Hence the following implications cannot be dismissed out of hand:

1. HGV offers, for the first time a non-nuclear option with such a magnitude for Iran in her military exchange with both America & Israel

2. Defence systems of both US & Israel are vulnerable

3. The advance notice that Iran used to give America before missile attack on US bases in Iraq is now redundant

4. Furthermore, offensive installations of both these countries could be targeted easily whenever hostility begins

5. Israel resorting to coveted attacks inside Iran and firing missiles from elsewhere to Iranian targets has to be toned down lest quick retaliation

6. After the peace accord between Saudi Arabia & Iran, peace has broken out indeed in the Persian Gulf and the “Iran bogey” by USA has expired by use by date

7. Performance of Iranian Shaheed drones in Ukraine theatre has made a big name for Iranian military products

8. In terms of geoeconomics, Iran can easily develop as a major arms supplier as she has already done with Russia where several types of loitering, suicide and frontal attack drones were sold or exchanged. In fact, Iranian officials have hinted that they are ready to sell HGV to willing buyers. Who knows at the rate their relationship is progressing with Gulf countries Saudi Arabia might place the first order. Remember US made Patriot system could not stop Yemeni drones attacking Saudi oil installations. Undoubtedly, Yemen got these drones from Iran or developed these in-house with Iranian collaboration!

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist