Jump to content

Haj Qasem (missile)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haj Qasem (missile)
A Haj Qasem missile
TypeMedium-range ballistic missile[1]
Place of originIran
Service history
In service20 August 2020[2]
Used byIran[3]
Production history
DesignerMinistry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (Iran)[4]
VariantsQassem Bassir[5]
Specifications
Mass7 tonnes (15,000 lb)
Length11 metres (36 ft)
Warhead weight500 kilograms (1,100 lb)
Operational
range
1400 Km
Maximum speedMach 12

Martyr Haj Qasem (sometimes Qassem) (Persian: موشک بالستیک شهید حاج قاسم) is an Iranian ballistic missile developed as part of the country's missile program. It was unveiled in August 2020, and is named after the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani who was assassinated by the US in January 2020.[6]

Haj-Qasem's range is 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) with a warhead weighing 500 kilograms (1,100 lb).[7] Alongside the unveiling of the "Haj-Qasem (Soleimani) missile", Iran unveiled a naval cruise missile, the Abu Mahdi.[6]

On May 4, 2025 Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh unveiled the Qassem Bassir as an improved variant of Iran’s Haj Qassem series on Iranian state television.[6][8][9] The missile is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)[10][8] with a solid-fueled, two-stage system.[8][10] Iranian officials state the Qassem Bassir has a range of about 1,200 kilometres (750 mi), and features enhanced guidance and countermeasure resistance.[10] Iran claims the Qassem Bassir missile can penetrate advanced missile defenses, and can strike selected targets (e.g. runways, aircraft hangars) with "pinpoint" accuracy without GPS,[11] though western analysts have cast doubt on these claims which are likely tinted with internal propaganda.[8]

The Haj Qassem was developed from Iran's Zolfaghar missile.[12]

Haj Qasem missiles are believed to undergo final assembly in the Kuh-e Barjamali site, which is part of Iran's Khojir Aerospace Complex southeast of Tehran.[13] The site was bombed by the US on 7 March 2026.[13]

On 18 July 2026, Iranian state media reported that Haj Qassem missiles had been fired at some Persian Gulf states and Jordan.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Unveiling of "Haj Qasem" and "Abu Mahdi" missiles Archived 2021-01-19 at the Wayback Machine alkawthartv.com, Retrieved 20 August 2020
  2. ↑ Unveiling of Shahid Haj Qasem ballistic missile shafaqna.com, Retrieved 20 August 2020
  3. ↑ Iran unveils 'Haj Qasem', 'Abu-Mahdi' missiles mehrnews.com, Retrieved 20 August 2020
  4. ↑ Description of the characteristics of "Martyr Haj Qasem" and "Martyr Abu Mahdi" missiles mashreghnews.ir, Retrieved 20 August 2020
  5. ↑ Sharifi, Kian (2025-05-05). "Iran Tests Missile It Claims Can Reach Israel, Get Past US Defenses". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  6. 1 2 3 "Iran unveils missiles with increased range". france24.com. 20 August 2020.
  7. ↑ Agency, قوه قضائیه | خبرگزاری میزان | Mizan Online News (May 11, 2021). "موشک حاج قاسم؛ شکارچی اهداف محافظت شده با سطوح بُتنی". fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Brahy, Jérôme. "Iran deploys new Qassem Basir ballistic missile to counter US most advanced air defense systems". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  9. ↑ "Iran unveils new ballistic missile, vows to respond to Israeli aggression". www.intellinews.com. 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  10. 1 2 3 "Iran Unveils Qasem Basir Ballistic Missile With Optical Guidance". www.defensemirror.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  11. ↑ "Iran unveils new solid-fueled ballistic missile, state TV reports". The Economic Times. 2025-05-05. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  12. ↑ "Leveling the Field: Iran's Asymmetric Use of Conventional Military Capabilities | Iran Watch". www.iranwatch.org.
  13. 1 2 Cafarella, Jennifer (March 23, 2026). "Iran Update Special Report, March 22, 2026".
  14. ↑ Nardone, Esther (July 18, 2026). "Iran Update Special Report, July 18, 2026".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Haj_Qasem_(missile)&oldid=1376646497"