IRAN

DEFENCE
PRODUCTS
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
ISLAMIC Rep. of IRAN

Talking with Dear Readers

Mindex center as the publisher of this book ‚ intend to introduce part of Iran`s Defence potential
in both production and engineering.
Since being the fourth issue of “Iran Defence Products”‚ as anyone who has worked in this area
knows‚ it takes a considerable amount of time to collect such an intelligent document.
Due to much of this information provided in this book comes from vast related industries‚Mindex
center has made all efforts to obtain accurate material by research & acknowledgment.
However‚we are still hoping to soon fill in the probable existing gaps. In the meantime‚ readers could
send their ideas /suggestions by email and also inform us of your book`s serial number.
Any update to the content of this book will appear on line as it occurs ‚ see: www.mindexcenter.ir
The content of this book is only for the purpose of providing information, though the publisher
will not be liable for any damages,direct or indirect arising from any misuse of the information
contained.
At the end‚ we should express our utmost appreciation to all persons in different ranks who have
helped us to complete this selected issue.

S/N:

Issue 2013 - 2016

IN THE NAME OF Allah
The most Compassionate
The most Merciful
 Autographic Note

With Compliment

Signature

Date
 AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI
LATE LEADER AND FOUNDER
OF ISLAMIC REP. OF IRAN

AYATOLLAH SEYED ALI KHAMENEI

SUPREME LEADER OF THE
ISLAMIC REP. OF IRAN
AND SUPREME COMMANDER
OF ALL FORCES
I.R.IRAN Defence Ministers Since Feb. 1979
( After Islamic Revolution )

1979
Ahmad Madani Akbar Torkan 1989-1993
(2 months)

1979-1981
Mohammad
Mostafa Chamran Martyred in 1993-1997
Forozandeh
Iraq War

1981
(2 months)
Javad Fakori Ali Shamkhani 1997-2005
Martyred in
Iraq war

1981 Mostafa
Seyyed Mosa
Martyred in Mohammad 2005-2009
Namjo
Iraq War Nadjar

Mohammad
1981-1985 Ahmad Vahidi 2009-2013
Salimi

1981-1988
Mohsen
Minister of Hossain Dehghan 2013-on wards
Rafighdoost *
Sepah

Months after 1979 Iranian revolution, a para-military Revolutionary

*Guards Corps established. At the beginning of the eight years of Iraqi
imposed war against Islamic Republic, RGC logistically commissioned to
Mohammad support the Corps inside the country and in the war fronts. Then became
1985-1989 capable to form and resamble to a geniune army in all respects.
Hossain Jalali
In 1980, logistic branch of RGC formed into a ministry alongside of Ministry
of Defense (1981 till 1988) that was inserted into the Ministry of Defense in
1989 almost as soon as the aforesaid war ended in 1988.
The Ministry now Known as Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
 Exporter´s Comment
In summer1989,a M.o.D international relation department was instructed to form a centre for ordnance export
activities. In a very short time several highly commercially specialist officers were recruited to take up the job
which soon followed by few foreign contracts.
The Centre soon received defence minister’s special blessing to introduce the defensive products more to the
potential customers and expand marketing activity globally . Export Centre as a result pioneered the unprecedented
commercial sales of military equipment and hardware made in Iran, the move in which was welcomed by all
military producers and organizations in the Islamic Republic.

After 24 years of credible reputation, this M.o.D´s exporting entity has arrived to the point that can proudly
announce undeniable unique role in formation of military relation and export of arms and equipment to as many as
35 countries in four continents.

In 1992¸other M.o.D´s producing organizations were encouraged to enter into the marketing arena and export
their own military products independently. The supreme Export Council chaired by the honourable minister
himself was then established to lead the export promotion and legislate the required laws on arms sales¸
supervise the activities and their conformity to the prevailing UN resolutions and arms control policies.
The councils initial members were the Defence Minister¸ Vice Defence Minister, Deputy Defence Minister
for Logistics¸ Chief of Export Centre and the Chairman of the Defence Industries Organization . Today
the number of the council’s permanent member has increased into ten . The council formed a technical
committee chaired by the Deputy Defence Minister for Logistics who is responsible for all military exports
and permissions.

The Iranian Ministry of Defence, like all other producers and military exporters, shortly considered the
importance of publicity and showing the global audience its achievements. Therefore next to advertising in
prime international military magazines, it participates regularly and periodically in a few of the main international
military exhibitions.

One of the advertising mean was to publish and provide enough technical literature so to satisfy the recipients.
Though taking the above into consideration , in 2002 the idea of publishing a workable, technical and
comprehensive defence product book came into light, a hechtic, important but worthy task. Literally Export
Centre managed to publish successfully the first edition not sooner than the year 2005, then the 2006/07 and
the 2008/09 editions. presently the new 2013-2016 issue contains a variety of Iranian manufactured items
with several new chapters, one consists of 12 sections, under the title of “transfer of technology” and the other
provides good information on the history of arms manufacturing in Iran. We have also introduced in this collection,
a military manufactured coding system known as product Identification Code ( PIC), help to recognize the products
by referring to the codes. The technical tolerances are constantly reviewed, needless to say, the data necessarily
subject to change without notice. To ease the reader’s searching through the pages, the two newly inserted
sections, being: “Alphabetic Index“ and “ Acronyms “, can come handy .

Readers who require more detailed information or have specific suggestions, are most welcome to contact us
on our correspondence shown in this book.

Thank you
550 BC ...

OF MILITARY PRODUCTS IN IRAN

... Today
The history of arms production in Iran ( Persia ) begins
as early as 550 BC., in ancient Persia and by the Cyrus
the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, well-
recognized for his achievements in human rights, con-
quering four corners of the world, also been known for
his innovation in building projects. Cyrus the Great took
all steps to form a standing and well-trained army with
defensive instruments; long spears, shields, helmets,
Persian Soldiers at Persepolis Monument
breast-plates, swords, javelins and of course bow and
arrows with which conquered vast territories.
In the later era in the 16th century, too many threads
and greed to conquer the empire attracted pertinacious
monarchs and rulers of the world.
Although the militarism never paved its way into the
daily lives of the nation, however this motherland fos-
tered men & women to become warriors and braver-
ies against all foreign insurgents throughout the history
and defended her territories and fate. Ancient Persian
armies have always been in the position to make their
necessary armaments and defensive particles.
In 1590, during the reign of King Abbas I ,Isfahan was
the center of the government and the ruling system First Machine Gun in Iran

. Some industries developed as well as moulding

method of making cannons and a single barrel rifle and
gunsmithing .The skilled men & group of blacksmiths
expanded the relative activities amid lack of extrater-
ritorial assistance.
For over hundred years the Persians learned more and
gathered more knowledge how to handle gun-powder
and the gun itself .The so-called industry developed
during Afsharia ( 1703 ) to build boats in the city of
Bushehr and in the Zandiya Dynasty ( 1780) in which
the city of Shiraz became another center to make can-
nons & flint guns .
In the early eighteenth century ( 1807- 1852 ) Mirza
Some Ancient Rifles
Taghi Farahani , known as Amir Kabir ( chief minister
to Naser al-din shah of Qajar reign ) had been consid-
ered as a modernizer of his time . After 1840 he was
put in charge of army’s provisions and through divine
efforts during his authority before 1852 , he uplift the
Persian arsenal with the help of Austrians in Isfahan
and Tehran. He eagerly collected information of military
value to the nation and established special school for
military education and scholarship. In 1888 new place
in the center of Tehran and next to the building of
ministry of defense was chosen to accommodate the
Ghorkhane ( the military manufacturing establish-
ment ) and took first steps to purchase three ships to
A Type of Flint Rifle
form a very young navy force. Seven years after the 1st.
World War, and up to the year 1925, Ghorkhane was
closed several times due to lack of skill, equipment and
well – trained personnel. In 1925 , starts a-fifty four-year
period of father ( Reza ) and the son ( Mohammad
Reza ) Pahlavi dynasty that ended by the 1979 Islamic
Revolution .
During the two decades ruling of Reza Shah, great sig-
nificance were given to the creation of a classic strong
Zanboorak (Light Cannon)
army. An army that can serve the king in frontiers, na-
tional security and against political opponents .To fulfill
the king’s ambitions, recruitment of all skilled workers in
steel mills and metal workshops was the first step to-
wards establishment of a repairing center , followed by
commissioning of 18 persons to Europe to be trained in
this profession. Gradually during 1922-1929 by bringing
tools, equipment and samples from Europe, the factory
was able to manufacture barrels, rifles and thousands
rounds of bullets per day and produce necessary gun-
powder in chemical factory .Thanks to the Germans ,
the Iranian ammunition manufacturing plant and the
armament manufacturing plant were constructed under
separate arrangements between 1935 to 1940 .Very
soon contracts were signed with German manufactur-
ers to transfer the technology to produce 75mm , 205
mm , 105 mm ammunitions. The brass plant though
was built before 1940.
In 1941 and under the command of the pahlavi II reign pe-
riod , western governments increased their influence in Iran
and controlled most of the Iranian oil and other natural re-
sources . To guard the so-called western interests, country
needed a strong army , something that required most of
the revenue to be paid on weapons and equipments in the
land that most of the people lived in extreme poverty. The
Shah ( king ) established himself as an indispensable ally
of the west, thus major arms industries and unprecedented
defensive war material and machines were purchased and
imported into the country , together with vast number of
US and European military and technical advisers & mis-
sionaries. During the first decade, the Military Industries
Organization ( MIO) was formed and indisputable devel-
opment of manufacturing of arms & ammunition , chemi-
cals , air & sea industries came in to light .
Heckler & Koch manufacturer exported to Iran the G.3
riflesَ technology and the MP5 series, 9mm pistols and
MG3 machines Guns. During the process, the MIO also
acquired the capability to produce gun- powder, dyna-
mite, acids & nitrate explosives. Another leading ammu-
nition manufacturer, Fritz Werner sold the main semi-
mechanical ammunition maker that changed the whole
industry and trained and brought knowledge & skill into
the lines. 9×19mm,7.62 ×51…. , and many other differ-
ent calibers and ammunition parts & spares.
MIO in its renovation programs had to be self – suf-
ficient and bring the chain factories into efficiency . The
Organization soon came into the conclusion that with
its qualified staff, it should move torwards self-reliance
and cover other sectors of the defensive products. In
the sixties, vehicles, communication, battery produc-
ing and electronic parts and devices were the areas
that the Organization was almost capalde to handle in
all respects. In another sector, Iran Aviation Industries
originally was constructed by Textron and intended to
produce Bell 214 series, initially 350 helicopters plus
transfer of technology. This project later was expanded
enormously and US International Bell co. trained these
personal that before 1977 well-trained staff were suf-
ficiently capable to logistically support the fleet in the
national army.
As the Pahlavi´s era ended in 1979, the Iranian post
revolution inherited immense amount of land , air and
naval war-machine , and due to the west’s hatred to-
wards creation of a truly Islamic state in the Middle East
, flamed the old disputes into eight-year –long war with
the eastern neighbor. With systematic refusal of so-
cial and commercial relations as from the beginning of
the revolution followed by a great degree of worsening
sanctions, literally paved the way towards a bright fu-
ture for the creative, active & capable nation to stand-up
against all international & technological challenges .
On the military might, the country necessarily had to be
self-reliance by overriding all difficulties and restrictions.
The nation with momentous ideals beside a revolution
with propositions and message for the world to pursue,
soon recognized its threats and opportunities.
The Iranian military industries entered into a circum-
stance that had been dealt with prudence. Acquiring
Eastern technology together with the existing Western
know-how, increased the capability of the army much in
a greater level among the countries in the region. What
the dear readers would find in this book is just a tip of an
iceberg. This illustrated collection would give you some-
how a thorough introduction to the current products and
equipments and its various types. Achievements in
great extend shall take the lead in no time.
 Acronym Index
A/C Aircraft Canister An anti - personnel round that consists of a large
number of balls’s slugs,pellets or flechettes inside
A /G Air to Ground a sheet metal casing or canister
A/ A Air to Air Cartridge A Complete self - contained round of ammunition
AAA Anti Aircraft Artillery / A complete - contained round

AAAV Advanced Amphibious AssauIt VehicIe CCL Command and Control Interface

AAG Anti Aircraft Gun CEP Circular Error Probability

AAM Air to Air Missile CG Centre of Gravity

ABS Anti - Skid Braking System CH Channel

ACV Armoured Combat Vehicle Chaff Thin silvers of radar- reflective material to protect
friendly aircraft
ADF Automatic Direction Finding
CKD Component Knocked down
AFCS Automatic Fire Control System
CMOS Complementary MetaL Oxide Semi-conductor
AFV Armoured Fighting Vehicle
Comint Communication Intelligence
AGL Assault Grenade Launcher
CRT Cathode Ray Tube
AIFV Armoured Infantry Fighting VehicIe
DF Direction Finding
AlV Armoured lnfantry Vehicle
Drill or dummy An ammunition that is completely inert and
AM Amplitude Modulation provided for training use
AMC Armoured Mortar Carrier E-O Electro - Optical
AMS Armoured Mortar System ECCM Electronic Counter Counter Measures
AP Armour - Piercing ECM Electronic Counter Measures
APC Armor Personnel Carrier EFP Explosivly Formed Penetrator
APFSDS Armor Piercing Fin StabiIised Discarding Sabot EHF Extra High Frequency
APGM Autonomous Precision-Guided Munition ELF Extremly Low Frequency
API Armour Piercing Incendiary Tracer Elint Electronic Inteligence
APIT Armour Piercing Incendiary Tracer ERA Explosive Reactive Armour /Extended Range
Ammuntion
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
ERFB Extended Range Full-Bore
APV Armoured Patrol Vehicle
ERFB-BB Extended Range Full- Bore - Base Bleed
ARTY Artillery
ESM Electronic Support ( or Surveillance ) Measures
ARV Armored Recovery Vehicle
EW Electronic Warfare
AT Anti Tank
FCS Fire Control System
ATC Air Traffic Control
FM Frequency Modulation
ATG Anti Tank Gun
FMJ Full Metal Jacket
ATGW Anti Tank Guided Weapon
FoV Field of View
ATM Anti Tank Mine
GCS Ground Control Station (or System )
AVIO-Avionics Aviation Electronics
GPS Global Positioning System
B.B. Base Bleed
HAS High Safey Ammunition
BaII UniversaL MiIitary Cartridges
HC Hollow charge
Baton round A round made from rubber to decrease IethaI in
riot controI HE High Explosive
Berdan Priming A Metallic Primer the anviI of which is formed in HE - Frag High Explosive Fragmentation
-tegraIIy with The cartridge case in the bottom of
the Primer Pocket HEAT High Explosive Anti Tank

BL Blank / A cartrides has no projectile HEAT High Explose Anti Tank

C2 Command and ControL HEAT-FS High Explosive Anti Tank - Fin stabilised

C3 Command, ControL and Communication HEAT-T High Eplosive Anti Tank-Tracer

C3l Command, ControL and Communication and HEAT-TP-T High Explosive Anti Tank - Target Practice -
lntelligence Tracer

C4 Command, Control, Communication and Comput- HEl High Explosive lncendiary

ers HERA High Explosive Rocket - Assisted
Cal. Diameter of gun´s bore excluding the depth of the HESH High Explosive Squash Head
rifling grooves
HF High Frequency RPG Rocket Propelled Grenade
HOW Howitzer rpm Rotation or Round per minute
HP Hollow Point / Horse Power RPV Remotely Piloted VehicLe( same as UAV)
HPBT Hollow Point Boat Tail RWR Radar Warning Receiver
HTTB High Technology Test Bed (US ) RXD Research and DeveIopmet
HUD Head Up Display S/L Sea LeveI
IAFV lnfantry Armour Fighting Vehicle SAM Surface to Air MissiLe
IFV lnfantry Fighting Vehicle SAR Search and Rescue
II lmage Intensification Satcom Satellite Communication
ILL Illuminating Self-Des / SeIf-De- A feature of fuzes that function after a predeter-
structing mined of time
Incendiary bullet A bullet with small ammunitIon of flammable
material SF Special Force
JATO jet - Assisted Take - Off SP Self Propelled
Kg Kilogram SPG Self Propelled Gun
LAW Light Anti - tank Weapon SPH Self Propelled Howitzer
LCD Liquid Crystal Display Sqn Squadron
LED Light Emitting Diod SRTA Short Range Training Ammunithon
lFF ldentification Friend or Foe SSM Surface to Surface Missile
lFR lnstrument Flight Rules TBO Time Between OverhauIs
lmpact Fuze Any fuze that is designed to function when it TCS TacticaL ControL System
strikes the target
TFT Thin FiIm Transistor
lMU lnertial Measurement Unit
TI Thermal lmaging
lNS lnertial Navigation System
TIS Thermal lmaging System
Log Lodgestics
TNT Tri Nitro ToIuene
LoS Line of Sight
TOW Tube - launched Optically tracked Wire - guided
lR lnfra Red
Tracer Tactical Reconnaissance Armored Combat
LRF Laser Range Finder Equipment Requirment
MBT Main Battle Tank Transceiver Radio Transmitter / Receiver
MG Machine Gun Transponder Radio transmitter triggered automaticaIIy by a
particuIar received signaI
MlL - STD Military Standard
TV TeIevision
MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System
UV Ultra VioLet
MRL Multiple Rocket Launcher
UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ( same as RPV )
MTBF Meantime Between Failures
UHF Ultra High Fraquency
MV Muzzle Velocity
VCR Video Cassette Recorder
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
VFR Visual Flight Rules
NBC NucIear Biological and ChemicaL
VHF Very High Frequency
NDT Non Destractive Testing
VLF Very Low Frequency
nm Nautical Miles
VP Variable Pitch (propeller)
OEO Optical and Electro Optical
WAS Wide Area Search
OPV Offshore Patrol Vessel
WC Wadcutter buIIet
PCM PuIse Code Modulation
WP White Phosphorous
PIBD PoinT lnitiating Base Detonating
WP- T White Phosphorous - Tracer
RADAR Radio Detection And Ranging
XMlT Transmit
RAM Random Access Memory
RAP Rocket Assisted Projectile
RCS Radar Cross- Section
RDX CycIotrimethyIene-Trinitramine, a wideIy used as
secondry high expLosive
RF Radio Frequency
CONTENTS

1 AMMUNITION AND PYROTECHNIC 1

2 PROPELLANT AND HIGH EXPLOSIVE 49

3 ARMAMENT 79

4 MILITARY VEHICLES 115

5 ROCKET & MISSILE 139

6 COMMUNICATION AND RADAR 171

7 OPTICS 217

8 N.B.C PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS 235

9 AVIATION 251

10 MARINE 277

11 MISCELLANEOUS 299

12 TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY 335