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Why has Iran’s air defense network failed so badly?
Army Technology ^

Posted on 03/05/2026 3:38:50 PM PST by FLT-bird

Reeling from years of regional conflict and subjected to superior electronic warfare effects, Iran can no longer hide its poor defense posture.

From the outset of the campaign, the US and Israel almost immediately achieved air superiority

The IRGC is believed to have expended a lot of its missile stockpiles during the 12-Day War in June 2025

Experts tell Army Technology how “efficient” and “capable” the EW effort of both countries has been at this point in the conflict

US-Israeli strikes, now in their fourth day, have exposed the deeply rooted failure of Iran’s integrated air defense network.

From the outset of the campaign, the US and Israel almost immediately achieved air superiority over Iran, enabling continued strikes against more than 2,000 targets within the Islamic Republic.

Iranian air defense sites have been subjected to aggressive electromagnetic spectrum operations but in tandem, its defenses have also been targeted kinetically.

Notably, the two allies appear to have split up responsibility. While US strikes have focused on targeting strategic infrastructure such as air defenses, command and control nodes, logistics networks, industrial facilities, and Iran’s military structure, the Israel Defense Forces have focused on targeting ballistic missile launchers, Iranian leadership and Hezbollah while also launching a forward presence group into southern Lebanon.

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2028690649373987188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2028690649373987188%7Ctwgr%5E6f2644c33990fd86d122139ad7f33a0fc3fec4ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.army-technology.com%2Ffeatures%2Fwhy-has-irans-air-defence-network-failed-so-badly%2F

https://x.com/IDF/status/2028780946569183298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2028780946569183298%7Ctwgr%5E6f2644c33990fd86d122139ad7f33a0fc3fec4ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.army-technology.com%2Ffeatures%2Fwhy-has-irans-air-defence-network-failed-so-badly%2F

more at the link


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: airdefense; chicoms; iran; itsdeadjim; russians
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To: Fledermaus

Reverse engineered junk.

China steals tech from all over the world and tries to reverse engineer it. Misses some details along the way.

So sorry Charlie.


21 posted on 03/05/2026 4:22:17 PM PST by Texas resident ( We finally have an American President again)
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To: fuzzylogic

There’s already an armed Kurdish group on the move in Iran. I don’t like being over optimistic, but if the air offensive continues to beat down Iranian command & control the entire regime might collapse to a bunch of armed guys riding dirt bikes supported by “techinicals” the way it happened recently in Syria.


22 posted on 03/05/2026 4:25:00 PM PST by Tallguy
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To: Mariner
It’s called stealth. The F-35 is the finest strike fighter in the history of aviation.

The F-35 sure has gone from zero to hero quickly, eh? The doubters seem to have disappeared. You can certainly slam the procurement and logistics, but the F-35 is the finest strike fighter ever built.

23 posted on 03/05/2026 4:25:08 PM PST by ETCM (“There is no security, no safety, in the appeasement of evil.” — Ronald Reagan)
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To: FLT-bird

All of these countries including Russia, are NOTHING.

There is only one Super Power and it is US.


24 posted on 03/05/2026 4:26:18 PM PST by TexasFreeper2009
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To: FLT-bird

I have always found the acronym “MANPADS” kind of gross. In a Tim Walz restroom vending machine sort of way.


25 posted on 03/05/2026 4:27:21 PM PST by Flash Bazbeaux
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To: FLT-bird

“The more complicated the plumbing, the easier it is to stop it up.”

Single operating frequencies can be overloaded with series of cascading dysrhythmic transmitted frequencies, bysteppingthe ability to lock on one of them.

Since generated frequency power goes inverse with distance, transmitters operating at greater strength can override the protective circuitry rendering burnout.

Systems purchased on 2021 are obsolete, but cost loads of cash to update, and some systems cannot be updated due to the physical architecture.


26 posted on 03/05/2026 4:34:15 PM PST by Terry L Smith
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To: ETCM

“You can certainly slam the procurement and logistics, but the F-35 is the finest strike fighter ever built. “

Amen.

And the only thing the Chinese know about their stealth platforms is that it can evade Chinese and Russian air defenses, if that.

Meanwhile we continue to prove our shit works in the field.


27 posted on 03/05/2026 4:34:45 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Brian Griffin
This is not something we should be discussing.

Like anyone here really knows anything about this - and if so, feels free to yak about it?

Seems rather censorious.
28 posted on 03/05/2026 4:34:45 PM PST by greenbrier
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To: j.havenfarm

😃😄😂🤣🤣🤣🤣


29 posted on 03/05/2026 4:39:00 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: Brian Griffin

We are discussing what they already discussed.

L


30 posted on 03/05/2026 4:39:30 PM PST by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: FLT-bird
The Israeli's decimated Iran's air defense network during 12-Day War in June 2025.
31 posted on 03/05/2026 4:41:44 PM PST by McGruff
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To: Flash Bazbeaux

I have always found the acronym “MANPADS” kind of gross. In a Tim Walz restroom vending machine sort of way.

*********************************************

OK, consider this.
Give a guy a bicycle with a couple of MANPADS strapped to the back of the bike and tell him where to go. Instant Air-Defense system. And he can shoot and scoot.

Gotta stay out of the missile envelope, which messes up the game a little. Practical effects today? Minimal.

Does that help ya?


32 posted on 03/05/2026 4:57:41 PM PST by dagunk
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To: Sam Gamgee

Russian and chicom air defenses don’t communicate between the 2. It’s critical and failure is not an option.


33 posted on 03/05/2026 5:02:18 PM PST by DownInFlames (P)
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To: FLT-bird

If the Kurds do attack Western Iran to establish military and political control over areas of Western Iran which they hope to be part of “Kurdistan”, then the Iranian army will have to fight not only without air support but the Kurds will receive air support from the Israelis and the Americans. Unless the Iranian army has effective anti aircraft capabilities, they might experience a historic bloodbath and defeat.
Have to wonder what is being promised to the Kurds to get them to attack.


34 posted on 03/05/2026 5:13:25 PM PST by allendale
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To: NorthMountain

“Engage Aircraft” is an option, and if you don’t check the box for the option and pay the extra you don’t get it. Gotta be that...


35 posted on 03/05/2026 5:24:41 PM PST by Axenolith (Tagline loading….)
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To: FLT-bird

Temu radar


36 posted on 03/05/2026 5:36:46 PM PST by The Louiswu (USA FIRST...USA FOREVER)
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To: Sam Gamgee

The equipment, and I suspect poorly trained operators.

There have also been defections from the air defense forces.


37 posted on 03/05/2026 6:12:24 PM PST by jimtorr
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To: FLT-bird

900+ tactical airstrike and EW missions will do that.


38 posted on 03/05/2026 6:31:11 PM PST by xone ( )
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To: NorthMountain

I haven’t seen the pamphlets. I have no idea how they were sold.

I hope they have a decent return policy.


39 posted on 03/05/2026 7:04:28 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: MeanWestTexan

That’s exactly how well it works! LMAO!


40 posted on 03/05/2026 7:08:34 PM PST by US_MilitaryRules (#PureBlood )
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