defense

Missile Comparison: FATİH 110 vs HIMARS

In 2019, Iran also introduced the "Fateh Mobin" missile, which has a new generation optical detector and can operate day and night. In addition, within the scope of the Fateh 110 missile development programme, Iran developed missiles named "Fateh 313" with a range of 450 kilometres in 2016, "Zulfikar" with a range of 700 km in 2017 and "Dezful" with a range of 1000 km in 2018.

Iranian Missile Attack on Mossad in Erbil on 15 January

At 23:30 on the night of 15 January, Iran fired 11 Fateh 110 missiles at selected targets around the northern Iraqi city of Erbil. The missile launches were initially interpreted as a response to the recent series of US air and missile strikes against Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen and a series of tensions in the Middle East.

The missile strikes apparently targeted the home of Peshrev Dizayee, an ethnic Kurdish businessman with links to Western and Israeli intelligence, and a base used by Israeli intelligence. Mr Dizayee was the owner and founder of two companies, Falcon Group and Empire World, in the years following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. According to Reuters news agency, he was close to the Barzani family. Dizayee's house, which was killed in the Iranian attack, was hit by four missiles.

The related news can be accessed from the link below.

Why Iran's Point Operation in Erbil on 15 January disturbed the US and Israel?

https://strasam.org/analiz-ve-raporlar/analiz/iranin-15-ocak-erbildeki-nokta-operasyonu-abd-ve-israili-neden-rahatsiz-etti-2811

In this article, I will try to compare the Fateh 110 missile developed by Iran for surface-to-surface targets with its American-made counterpart, the HIMARS missile.

Iran has started missile studies since the 1980s and today is the country with the most missile diversity in the Middle East.

The Fateh 110-A is a short-range, land-mobile, solid-fuelled ballistic missile based on the Russian-made R-65 FROG missile, although other sources say that it is a copy of the Chinese DF-11 missile.

The Fateh 110-A is designed to replace most of the older Scud systems currently in use in Iran. Iran began developing the Fateh 110-A in 1997. The first test flight of the Fateh 110-A took place in May 2001 and the second in the following September 2002. The third test was conducted in February 2003.

With the Fateh 110-A, known as the most accurate missile (5-10 metres), Iran has achieved a missile with a range comparable to the Soviet "Scud" missile. Later models of the Fateh 110 missile have also achieved a range of 250 and 300 kilometres and high accuracy.

The Zulfikar and Dezful missiles have a larger diameter and detachable warheads than the Fatih 110. In addition, the maximum range of the "Zulfikar Basir", which is produced as a naval ballistic missile, has been increased to 700 kilometres and was introduced in 2021.

Iran's ballistic missile called "Raad 500" and a new generation of satellite carrier rockets were unveiled at a ceremony in 2020. The Raad 500 missile, which has the first body made in Iran with a mixture of fibre and carbon, weighs about 2 tonnes, is lighter than the metal-bodied "Fatih 110" missile with a range of 200-300 kilometres and has a longer range of 200 kilometres. However, since the design of this weapon is different from the "Fateh 110" missile, it is not considered as part of the Fateh family.

In recent years, Iran has also developed smaller missiles modelled on the Fateh family, while previously continuing the construction of large-scale projects.

For this purpose, the design of the Fateh 110 missile has been preserved, but by developing a smaller-scale missile than the Fateh 110, it has made it possible to use multiple ammunition in one launcher while maintaining the reliability and target hit accuracy of the Fateh 110 missile.

The first product developed in this context is the "Fetih" missile, which was introduced on 20 August 2020. The Fetih missile, which has high accuracy, has a range of 120 kilometres. Six missiles are carried on the carrier vehicle, and it is also possible to use various warheads on these missiles.

The Fateh missile was tested for the first time for the first time in July 2020 in a large-scale military exercise called "The Great Prophet (PBUH) 14" conducted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. In 2021, a large number of Fateh missiles were delivered to the Revolutionary Guards navy.

The Fatih missile has been developed in four different versions, Fatih-110A, 110B, 110D-1 and Fatih-E Mobin, with varying accuracy rates. The latest version (Fatih-E Mobin), which was shown to the public for the first time in August 2018, was reported to have a range of 300 km and to be more accurate than the previous versions.

A version of the Fatih-110 was also produced under licence in Syria under the name M-600. The missile was used by Iran and Syria during the Syrian Civil War. The presence of the M-600 missile, a variant of the Fatih-110, in Syria was cited as the reason for the US transfer of two Patriot missile defence systems to Turkey in 2012.

The Fatih-110 has three sets of fins. Four are located at the tip near the exhaust, four triangular-shaped fins are located just above them, and four small fins are located in front of the missile, near the nose cone. Of the three fins on the missile, only the front one is mobile.

Fatih-110 is mobile and uses three different carrier-erector-launchers (TEL). The first one has a similar mechanism to the SA-2 and is based on a Mercedes-Benz 6x6 truck. The second TEL is used by the newer versions of the Zelzal rockets and also uses the Mercedes-Benz platform. The third is the Zulfikar (Zolfaghar), an indigenous TEL that can carry two missiles instead of one.

Fatih-110

Fatih-110 is a vehicle-mounted, 300 kilometre range, containerless solid propellant missile (Containerless missiles must be stored in a special facility near the launch point). The missile reportedly uses a combination of inertial and satellite navigation systems to reach the target area.

Another missile variant has a passive radar guidance system against air defence and missile guidance radar signals.

First generation

The first generation of the Fatih-110 had a range of 200 km with a CEP of 600 metres. The first flight test was carried out in September 2002, mass production was started shortly afterwards and it entered service.

Second generation

In September 2004, the second generation Fatih-110B was introduced, with a range increased to 250 km and the same accuracy as its predecessor. This version is the first product offered for export.

Third generation

In 2010, the third generation Fatih-110 was tested by Iran. Iranian defence minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that accuracy, range, reaction time and storage capability were increased in different parts of the country. Later, Iranian television broadcast footage of the test and the crash. The range of the missile is stated as 300 km.

Fourth generation

In August 2012, Iranian state media reported that the fourth-generation Fateh-110 had been successfully test-fired. Iranian media reported increased accuracy.

M-600

The Syrian M-600 is reportedly based on the second generation Fatih-110 (Fatih-110B). In 2010, Israeli officials revealed that the Syrian government had supplied hundreds of M-600 missiles to Hezbollah.

Types of anti-ship ballistic missiles

In 2014, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps announced two variants of the Fateh-110, called "Hormuz-1" and "Hormuz-2". The Hormuz-1 is reported to be an anti-radiation missile and the Hormuz-2 is an anti-ship missile. Analysis by Anthony Cordesman of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies suggests that the Hormuz-2 is "essentially the same as the Hormuz-1".

Another 700 km range anti-ship version, called Zulfikar Basir, was announced by the IRGC in September 2020.

Zulfikar (Zolfaghar)

The Zulfikar is an Iranian tactical ballistic missile believed to be of the Fateh-110 family, and was the first ballistic missile of any type to be used openly by Iran in a conflict outside the country. Unlike other members of the Fateh-110 family, which are often described as quasi-ballistic missiles, the Zulfikar flies on a true ballistic trajectory. The missile's claimed range of 700 km is considered largely accurate based on the January-2017 Deir ez-Zor missile attack. Apparently, this range is due to the replacement of the metal body of the Fatih-110 with composite materials, which significantly saves weight. However, doubts have been raised about its reliability and accuracy. The Jane's Arms Information reference magazine considers the performance of the Zulfikar to be poor.

It is believed that Zülfikar (and possibly other members of the Fatih-110 family) utilise commercial GNSS systems to improve the missile's accuracy.

Fatih Mobin

In 2018, Iran introduced the Fatih Mobin guidance kit, an upgrade of the Fatih-110 missiles. According to Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami, it will be adaptable to members of the Fateh-110 family up to Zulfikar. The Fateh Mobin is believed to use an infrared imaging sensor for target guidance.

Fateh-360 (BM-120)

It was first displayed at a military exhibition on 21 August 2020 under the name Fatah. In September 2022, Iran tested the downsized member of the Fateh ballistic missile family, the Fateh 360 (and an export model called the BM-120). The missile is 4 m (13 ft) long and 30 cm in diameter, weighs 850-1,100 kg (1,870-2,430 lb) with a 150 kg (330 lb) warhead and has a range of 80-100 km (50-62 mi), most likely guided by GLONASS satellite navigation, and has a strike accuracy of less than 30 metres. It has a launch speed of 3,704 km/h (2,302 mph; Mach 3.0), increasing to 5,000 km/h (3,100 mph; Mach 4.1) on impact. Two, four or six round boxes can be mounted on a truck-based launcher.

The most important feature of the Fatah missile is that it has a mobile launcher and is currently used by both the naval and ground forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

The Fateh or BM-120 missile can use conventional warheads as well as cluster warheads and concrete-piercing warheads. This indicates that this missile can be used against radars, military bases, bunkers or important facilities such as operational centres.

Newly released information has shown that another missile has been added to Iran's tactical ballistic family. The new member of the Fateh family is the "BM-250" missile. Newly published details reveal that this missile, like the Fateh, is a scaled down version of the Fateh 110.

HIMARS Missile system

HIMARS (M142), (HIMARS - High Mobility Artillery Rocket System ) (English: High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a lightweight multiple rocket launcher system mounted on a standard US Army Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV) truck.

HIMARS is a launchable system on a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-tonne truck with six rockets or Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-tonne truck and all of the ammunition and Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM - Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions). HIMARS can be replaced by the MLRS M270A1, carrying half a rocket load. It can also be used against targets with a range of 0 to 300 km by loading ATACMS (M39A1) ammunition on the HIMARS system.

The launcher can be transported by C-130 transport aircraft. The chassis is manufactured by BAE Systems Mobility and Protection Systems (formerly Armour Holdings Space and Defence Group Tactical Vehicle Systems Division) as FMTV OEM. The rocket launch system is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Misiles & Fire Control.

The M142 system is a light wheeled version of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). A pod can hold six rockets or a single missile.

The HIMARS system is currently used by the USA, ROMANIA, SINGAPORE, URDON, UAE, UKRAINE.

HIMARS Rockets hit targets with an accuracy of 3 to 5 metres (10-16 feet). The secret of this accuracy is an inertial navigation system consisting of gyroscopes and accelerometers that inform the rocket of its exact position relative to the target.

Conclusion

It has been reported in the media that Iran is preparing to transfer short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against targets in Ukraine as part of an unspecified shipment of 1000 additional weapons. Iran is alleged to have already transferred a number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia. Although the Islamic Republic of Iran denies interference, media reports indicate that many of these drones have been used in Ukraine.

The US has provided Ukraine with the HIMARS system and missiles capable of hitting targets up to a distance of about 50 miles (80 Km). However, the US faced pressure from Ukrainian leaders to provide longer-range missiles. However, the Biden administration hesitated to give long-range HIMARS missiles to Ukraine. This is because Russia has made it clear that providing long-range missiles to Ukraine would cross a red line.

However, Russia is preparing to buy missiles from Iran that can travel hundreds of kilometres. According to Reuters, the Fatih-110 can hit targets at a range of about 186 miles (300 kilometres), while the Zulfikar can hit targets at a range of 435 miles (700 kilometres).

Based on this information, we can say that Iran's Fateh 110 family missiles and the US HIMARS Systems were used mutually in the Russia - Ukraine war.

HIMARS has a target hit accuracy of one metre

The US Navy has stated that HIMARS missiles can hit a target with an accuracy of up to one metre. HIMARS can be understood to outperform Iranian missiles in terms of accuracy when hitting a target. The accuracy of HIMARS could allow them to destroy important Russian targets, including bridge crossings, ammunition depots and command centres.

According to Military Today, the Fatih-110 missile can hit targets with an accuracy of 5 to 10 metres.

According to the Missile Defence Advocacy Alliance, the accuracy of the Zulfikar missile is also reported to be about 10 miles (16 Kilometres).

If the US provides Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, the colour, size and scope of the war could change at any moment.

In the Middle East, the footsteps of the change brought by the Fatih 110 missile are slowly being heard.

ISW News reported that the combined operation organised by the Air and Space Forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Army last Tuesday at 24 hours gave messages to Israel, and the following details were included in the news report: "According to the statement of General Hazijade, Commander of the Air and Space Forces, the Mossad headquarters 10 kilometres outside Erbil and the ISIS training and command headquarters in Kafr Taharim area in the north of Idlib were hit with missiles in accordance with the intelligence received. The Mossad base in Erbil was hit with 11 Fatih-110 and Fatih-313 missiles. Four missiles were fired from Kermanshah in western Iran and seven missiles were fired from Tabriz in northwestern Iran."

Iran used a 'mixed attack' tactic in this operation. This tactic was previously used in the ARAMCO attack and by the Russian army in the war in Ukraine. That is to say, before the missile attack on Erbil, a few unmanned aircraft were launched to occupy the American air defence systems at the Al-Harir base.

The ballistic missiles then hit the Israeli target without any problems. This operation was the largest missile operation ever carried out by Iran, with 24 missiles fired.

In this operation, the strategic ballistic missile 'Khyber Shiken' was used for the first time in a field operation. This missile accurately hit targets at a distance of approximately 1260 kilometres from Khuzestan to Idlib province of Syria.

On the other hand, this operation was the longest-range missile operation ever conducted by Iran. Iranian forces have never conducted a missile operation with a range of 1200 kilometres outside the country before.

The world is now rushing towards a new generation war called the war of missiles.