Talash/15th Khordad

The 15th Khordad is an Iranian domestically developed long-range surface-to-air missile system, an upgraded variant of the Talash system. It is designed to detect and intercept various aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, utilizing Sayyad-3 missiles.

Developed by Iran's Ministry of Defence to achieve strategic self-sufficiency under international sanctions, the system evolved from the earlier Talash program to counter advanced Western and regional aerial threats. The 15th Khordad was officially unveiled by defense officials and inducted into the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force in June 2019. Since its introduction, the system has been regularly deployed in large-scale national air defense drills, such as the "Defenders of Velayat Skies" exercises, to protect critical infrastructure and nuclear sites. Today, it remains a cornerstone of Iran's layered air defense network, showcasing the country's transition toward highly mobile, domestically produced radar and missile integration.