General Esmaili also added that the S-300 surface-to-air missile systems recently purchased from Russia were deployed during the exercise.
Iranian political analyst and security expert Abouzar Bagheri pointed out that the contract to supply S-300 air defense systems to Iran was signed between Tehran and Moscow many years ago; and now that it has finally been fulfilled, Iran was able to fill a vacuum in its air defenses.
"In recent years, with all the turmoil in the Middle East, Iran has proven time and again that it does not pursue a policy of aggression and military expansion. The country requires weapons only in order to defend its borders, not for invading other nations. Therefore, Iran employs the S-300 surface-to-air missile systems purely to bolster its air defense capabilities and to preserve the nation’s aerial borders," he explained.
Bagheri also added that S-300 anti-air systems will now be routinely employed during military exercises conducted by the Iranian army and will be displayed at military parades.
"The S-300 surface-to-air missile systems now adopted by the Iranian military will soon be deployed again during military exercises and parades. It will be done on a regular basis as S-300 systems are now an important part of Iran’s military defenses. Just like General Farzad Esmaili said, the Sky Defenders 7 drills is but a first test for these weapon systems; during further military exercises the S-300 will be tested to their full capability," he said.
Earlier in December Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei announced that Russia has successfully fulfilled the contract to deliver S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran, and that the new weapons were transferred to the Khatam al Anbiya air defense base.
