File image.
Iran’s latest retaliatory strikes hit at least two American-made MIM-104 Patriot systems in neighboring countries, according to satellite images released on March 9 and 10.
The first system was hit at Harir Air Base, located close to the town of Harir in the governorate of Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. This system is deployed by the United States military, which maintains a large presence at the air base for intelligence gathering, and special operations. The base is regularly used by the elite Delta Force.
The images, which were released by Persian media, indicate that at least one of the system’s M901-series launching stations was hit.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The images also show damage to at least two very large hangars at the air base, which were likely used by the U.S. military for maintenance.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The other Patriot was struck at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to images from the European Sentinel-2 satellite, which appears to show damage at the area where the system’s AN/MPQ-53/65 tracking radar is believed to be deployed.
The air base, located west of the city of Al Jahra, is considered one of the key airlift and logistics gateways for the U.S. military in the Middle East, hosting the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. Still, the Patriot deployed there is likely owned by the Kuwaiti military.
Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
Other images from Persian media show more damage at Ali Al Salem, with several aircraft hangars, fuel tanks and even barracks used by U.S. troops damaged or destroyed.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The Patriot is a long-range air defense system, primarily used by the U.S. military and its allies to intercept ballistic missiles at their terminal phase. A single system with its missiles could cost as much as $1 billion. The radar on its own is reported to be worth more than $110 million.
While satellite images released so far confirm that only two Patriot were damaged, the number of systems that got hit by Iran is likely much larger.
The U.S. military is now reported to be rushing additional air defenses, mainly Patriot systems, into the Middle East, mainly from South Korea.
Turkey confirmed on March 10 that a Patriot system is being prepared for operational readiness in its eastern region as part of efforts coordinated with NATO to help protect the country’s airspace amid the ongoing regional tensions. Ankara has accused Tehran of firing two ballistic missiles at its territories since the start of the war. Both were intercepted by NATO warships, with the Islamic Republic denying responsibility.
Other additional systems will likely be deployed in Gulf countries, which were hit the hardest by Iran since the start of the American-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic.
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looks like when taking out air defenses, iranian sandmonkies are more effective than roos kies
racista gringo hijo de put@.
looks like the persian snakes are going to get nook ed. soon.
russia and china have thrown iran to the wolves…heheheh