Recently, as part of a public parade, Iran displayed its latest ballistic missile system, the Jihad, during a military parade in Tehran. Its name does not mean Holy War, as this expression is usually translated, but it depends on the context, but in general it is about “the struggle of human beings to promote what is right and avoid what is wrong.”
The missile was developed by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is a technological leap in terms of Iranian military advances: among other features, it marks the debut of a new liquid fuel missile platform. But it also shows how much the country can advance in defense technology, despite increasing international scrutiny and ongoing sanctions.
According to Iranian state media and IRGC sources, the Jihad missile boasts a range of 1,000 kilometers and is launched using a dual-missile platform, a distinctive feature compared to Iran’s previous liquid-fueled missiles. It appears to be an improved version of the Qiam missile, first introduced in 2010. This was Iran’s first finless liquid-fuel missile, with an initial range of 800 kilometers. Later modifications to the Qiam included a detachable guided warhead, improving its accuracy and range.
According to Tasnim, an IRGC-affiliated media outlet, the Jihad missile carries a 600-kilogram warhead and can reach speeds exceeding eight times the speed of sound. Also uses a different launch platform capable of firing two missiles simultaneouslywhich increases their operational efficiency, despite the longer preparation time generally required for liquid-fueled missiles.
The unveiling of the missile follows the development of other advanced Iranian missiles, including the Kheibar-Shekan and the Martyr Haj Qasem. Iranian state media also highlighted new missile launch platforms, including one used for the Fattah missilewhich is said to have advanced navigation systems that allow rapid deployment and launch of missiles.
Improvements made from previous models included replacing the standard triple-cone warhead with a detachable and guided variant, improving accuracy to 50 meters.
Iran’s missile development has raised concerns among Western nations, particularly regarding its potential destabilizing impact on the region. Iran, for its part, maintains that its missile development is a sovereign right and necessary for national defense. During the same military parade, Iran also presented an improved version of its drone Shahed-136, now called Shahed-136B, with an operational range exceeding 4,000 kilometers.