Ya Zahra (Persian: یا زهراء, O Zahra) is an Iranian unlicensed copy of the Chinese HQ-7 missile,[1] itself an unlicensed copy of the French Crotale missile short-range air defense system.[2] The system entered production in 2013.
Shooting exercise in 2010.
The Ya Zahra differs from Iran's Raad in being a short-range air defense system. Iranian sources say it is able to form a missile defense network. This system was successfully tested in "Defenders of Velayat Skies 4" air defense drills.[3] Iranian sources claim the Ya Zahra is more advanced than the French Crotale.[2]
Mass production of the Ya Zahra air defense system officially began on January 27, 2013.[4]
The 3rd generation of the Ya Zahra system, Ya Zahra-3, has electo-optical equipment that reportedly helps to detect and track targets when the battlefield is affected by heavy jamming.[2] Also Ya Zahra has a full mobile version named Herz-9.[5]
The missile used by the system is the Shahab Thaqeb.[6] It has been under development since at least 2011.[6]
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