On January 16, 2025, the Iranian Navy (NEDAJA) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval Force (NEDSA) announced the modernization of their weapons by unveiling the new Abu Mahdi anti-ship missile system. The system, developed in Iran, has advanced capabilities and represents a significant step in strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
The Abu Mahdi missiles were first unveiled in August 2020, but the upgraded version surpasses previous versions in both range and technology. With a maximum range of up to 1000 km, the Abu Mahdi is three times longer than other Iranian missiles, such as the Raad (350 km) and Qadir (300 km). The extended range allows Iran to cover a large part of the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters, significantly complicating the actions of potential adversaries near its shores.
Key features of the new system include guidance systems based on artificial intelligence (AI). These systems allow the missile to perform complex maneuvers during flight, avoid detection by enemy radars due to a low-altitude flight profile, and unexpectedly change trajectory to increase the probability of successfully hitting a target.
The "dual-mode radar" installed on the "Abu Mahdi" combines active and passive radar tracking systems, which significantly improves the accuracy of the strike even in conditions of active counteraction by means of electronic warfare. Thanks to these technologies, the missiles become especially effective against well-protected targets, including aircraft carriers and other large warships equipped with modern air defense systems.
The Abu Mahdi systems are mounted on mobile platforms - heavy commercial trucks, which makes them extremely maneuverable and difficult to detect. The mobility of the system provides flexibility in deployment and allows for rapid changes in position to increase coverage.