Key Points and Summary – Iran’s recent claim to have “replaced” its air defense systems destroyed by Israel is a misleading narrative of strength.
-According to an Iranian official, the new systems were pulled from storage, suggesting they are not an upgrade but merely replacements with equivalent or older technology.
-This highlights the core weakness of Iran’s air defense: a fragmented and outdated “hodgepodge” of Soviet-era and domestic systems that proved no match for Israeli strikes.
-With Russia unlikely to provide advanced replacements, Tehran’s claims of a restored and secure airspace ring hollow, revealing a critical vulnerability in its military posture.
The Truth About Iran’s “New” Air Defense Systems
The Iranian Defah Press news agency reported on Sunday that Iran has replaced air defense systems damaged during last month’s war with Israel.
Citing comments made by Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, the Iranian army’s deputy for operations, the outlet confirmed that similar systems have replaced air defenses overwhelmed by Israeli strikes.
Damage was inflicted by a barrage of Israeli missile strikes while Iran responded with its own missile and drone attacks on Israeli soil.
Israeli military officials claim that 120 air defense systems were destroyed or disabled during the first-wave attacks – roughly one-third of the country’s pre-war total.
Mousavi admitted that damage caused to Iran’s air defense systems could not be hidden, and confirmed that the replacement systems were not sourced from overseas.
Iran’s Air Defenses – Replaced, But Not Upgraded
Iran’s air defense systems have been replaced, but not upgraded. While Mousavi didn’t expand on what systems are now in use, he did confirm that they were replaced with “pre-arranged systems” that had been kept in storage.
“Some of our air defenses were damaged, this is not something we can hide, but our colleagues have used domestic resources and replaced them with pre-arranged systems that were stored in suitable locations in order to keep the airspace secure,” Mousavi said.
It suggests that Iran is either using equivalent air defense systems or potentially older and less capable units.
Iran has long depended on older air defense systems to protect even its most important nuclear sites. Research from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies previously revealed how Iranian radar information around its Natanz facility – which was obtained as a result of an operational security error – revealed the use of Soviet-era air defense technologies.
Specifically, researchers claimed Iran was protecting the site with four Iranian Najm 804 radar systems, a Russian Tor surface-to-air missile system, and two versions of the Soviet P-12 Spoon Rest A radars. More than just old and inadequate, the systems are likely unable to function as one cohesive system.
Aging air defense systems are just one of several factors that contributed to Iran’s inability to protect itself from Israeli strikes. As noted by Global Defense Corp, Iran relied on a “fragmented mix of Russian S-300s, Chinese batteries, and local Bavar-373 systems,” none of which were properly integrated.
Rather than investing in capable air defenses, Iran has long depended on deterrence – with the support of Hezbollah. Following devastating Israeli attacks last year – including the assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and other top commanders – that deterrence no longer exists.
What Happens Next?
At this stage, it remains unclear where Iran may source newer and more capable air defense systems. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly held a meeting on Sunday with Ali Larijana, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program.
However, Putin confirmed Moscow’s preference for stabilizing the region and pursuing diplomatic resolutions – news that reinforces emerging indications that Iran will seek assistance from China.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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Jim
July 22, 2025 at 11:10 am
Pulled out of storage, I agree anything in “storage” is likely not better and maybe worse than what was destroyed.
But Iran is in consultation with Russia. Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, traveled to Moscow and met with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov, on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Based on these consultations, one can speculate Iran is reaching out to Russia (and China) to strengthen their surface to air interceptor ability… and possibly purchase fighter jets from China.
Frankly, that’s why many think Israel will strike again sooner rather than later because the window of opportunity to attack successfully is closing.
But that ignores Iran’s long-distance ballistic missile capability which they demonstrated during the 12 Day War.
And, while most Americans don’t know the extent of the damage inflicted by Iranian missiles, the Israeli military & civilian leaders do know the extent of the damage.
Hopefully, Israeli leaders don’t want to have another series of attacks like they suffered in Iran’s response.