Missile Ghadr-110

The Ghadr-110 is a medium-range ballistic missile developed in Iran as an improved version of the earlier Shahab-3A system. The missile, whose name translates to "intensity," was first presented to the public during an annual military parade held to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War. It represents a significant evolution in the country's ballistic missile lineage, transitioning from its direct predecessors to a more advanced design.

Engineered as a two-stage missile, the Ghadr-110 utilizes a liquid-propellant first stage and a solid-propellant second stage. This hybrid configuration grants it enhanced range and performance, with several variants offering operational ranges between approximately 1,350 and 1,950 kilometers. It is designed to carry a single conventional warhead with a payload capacity varying from 650 to 1,000 kilograms. Guidance is achieved through a combination of an inertial system and GPS, giving it superior accuracy and maneuverability compared to older Iranian missiles. While developed by a state under scrutiny for its nuclear ambitions, Iran maintains the Ghadr-110 is not designed to carry nuclear warheads. It has also been suggested that the system could potentially provide Iran with anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities.

The Ghadr-110's design significantly shortens its operational preparation time to just 30 minutes, a marked improvement over the several hours required for the Shahab-3, enhancing its strategic readiness. Beyond its service with the Iranian Armed Forces, the missile has been supplied to allied non-state actors, including Hezbollah and Houthi forces. The system has seen active combat use; a notable instance occurred in November 2023 when a Ghadr-110 launched from Yemen was intercepted exo-atmospherically by an Israeli Arrow-3 missile, an event described as the first instance of space combat. Iran also conducted test launches in 2015 and 2017, which were met with international criticism for perceived non-compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.