In News:

In a significant military development, Iran has successfully test-fired the Ghadr-380, an advanced anti-warship cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers (600 miles).

This capability allows it to target U.S. Navy warships deployed in critical maritime regions like the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The missile test was launched from an underground missile facility and was broadcast on Iranian state television, underscoring its strategic messaging.

Key Missiles Unveiled by Iran:

1. Ghadr-380 Cruise Missile:

• Type: Anti-warship cruise missile
• Range: Over 1,000 km
• Features:
  • Anti-jamming capability
  • Quick-launch readiness (operable by one person in less than 5 minutes)
• Launch Details:
  • Fired from an underground missile base in central Iran
  • Targeted the Sea of Oman
  • Specific test timing and warhead specifications were not disclosed

2. Etemad Ballistic Missile:

• Name Meaning: Etemad means "trust" in Persian
• Type: Precision-guided ballistic missile
• Range: 1,700 km (1,056 miles)
• Specifications:
  • Length: 16 meters
  • Diameter: 1.25 meters
  • Equipped with precision-guided warhead
• Built by: Iranian Ministry of Defence

Ballistic vs. Cruise Missiles: Understanding the Distinction

Feature                           Ballistic Missile                                                         Cruise Missile

Propulsion                Rocket-propelled at launch; unpowered descent             Jet engine-powered throughout flight

Flight Path              Arched trajectory (leaves and re-enters atmosphere)        Straight, low-altitude flight within atmosphere

Detection                 Easier to track via radar once launched                            Difficult to detect due to low-altitude flight

Launch Platforms   Ground-based, silo, mobile launchers                             Ground, air, or sea platforms

Warhead Capability   Can carry conventional or nuclear warheads              Usually conventional, but may carry nuclear in advanced forms

Iran’s Strategic Missile Doctrine

Underground Missile Facilities:

• Iran maintains extensive underground missile bases, especially in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for global oil trade.
• Such facilities enhance survivability and rapid response capabilities.

Missile Development Drivers:

• Iran's missile program evolved as a strategic deterrent post the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), where both countries used missiles to target civilian areas.
• UN arms embargoes led Iran to focus on domestic development of missile systems, including both cruise and ballistic types.

Capabilities:

• Iran now claims to possess missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers, capable of reaching parts of the Middle East, including Israel.
• The Ghadr-380 and Etemad missiles are examples of technological diversification—from ballistic to precision cruise systems.

Implications for Regional and Global Security

• Deterrence Posture: Iran’s missile advancements strengthen its deterrence, especially amid strained relations with the U.S. and its allies.
• Threat to Maritime Security: The Ghadr-380, with its anti-warship focus, poses a direct threat to U.S. naval assets in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters.
• Escalation Risks: Enhanced missile capabilities could escalate regional tensions, particularly in flashpoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
• Western Concerns: The U.S. and European nations remain wary of Iran’s dual-track approach involving missile and nuclear program developments.