Iran has emerged as a pivotal player in the proliferation of advanced missile technologies to both state and non-state actors. Notably, it supplies the surface-to-air 358 loitering missiles alongside other weaponry to groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq. These missiles have enabled them to engage with superior militaries operating in their region successfully. They have been used to down Saudi, American, and Israeli drones in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, posing a threat to their aircraft and other assets.
This strategy highlights Iran's role in enhancing the military capabilities of its regional proxies. The 358 missile, known for its advanced loitering capabilities, represents a significant leap in Iran's defensive and offensive technology portfolio, enabling sustained surveillance and precision strikes against diverse targets.
"Kayhan" reported in its "Special News" column under the headline "Iran's Loitering Missiles: A Nightmare for Israel's Regime" that" ran has made significant advancements in its defense sector, with the development of the 358 loitering missiles standing out as a critical milestone. This missile has been identified as the world’s first of its kind, designed to enhance precision strike capabilities and operational flexibility.
The 358 missile is engineered as a loitering munition, capable of hovering over a designated area for an extended period before striking a predetermined target. It features a turbojet engine suitable for small cruise missiles, enabling sustained flight with considerable agility. The missile has advanced guidance systems, including a thermal imaging camera for target acquisition and tracking.
Design and Specifications:
Length: Approximately 2.7 meters
Warhead Weight: 11 kilograms
Operational Altitude Range: Effective operational ceiling under 6 kilometers as per Pentagon assessments, though claimed to reach up to 8.5 kilometers.
Deployment: Utilizes a simple launcher and a booster rocket for initial acceleration.
Wings: Features approximately 12 small fins distributed in three segments along its body, enhancing aerodynamic stability and control.
Operational Modes:
Automatic Mode: The missile locks onto the target autonomously after the operator pinpoints and locks the coordinates using the onboard camera.
Manual Mode: Direct operator control guides the missile toward the target, allowing adjustments mid-flight.
Iran has developed and actively distributed the 358 missiles to its allies in the Axis of Resistance, enhancing their tactical capabilities. Hezbollah and the Houthis have reportedly received these missiles, demonstrating Iran’s strategic intent to bolster its proxies in confronting Israel. During former Russian DM Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu’s visit to Iran in September 2023, one image clearly shows the 358 missiles. He is with Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the IRGC Aerospace Force commander.
Providing such advanced technology to non-state actors like Hezbollah enables these groups to conduct operations with increased precision and lethality. On October 2023, Hezbollah launched 358 missiles to target and subsequently shoot down an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The U.S. Patriot air defense system swiftly countered this bold move, successfully intercepting and destroying the missile. The Houthis used the 358 to target Saudi drones during the war in Maarib Province in Yemen and were also launched towards American drones. The combat experiences in Yemen have shown that the 358 missile effectively targets slower-moving aerial vehicles such as drones and both transport and combat helicopters.
The United States has in the past intercepted and exposed shipments of Iranian-made 358 missiles, which were intended for non-state actors like the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Three of the 358 missiles were captured in November 2019 by the USN Forrest Sherman, a Navy destroyer, and five more were recovered in February 2020 in an operation by the Normandy, a Navy cruiser. Early on 2022, HMS Montrose seized several Iranian loitering SAM (CENTCOM designation: 358, Houthis designation Saqr-1).
The development and distribution of the 358 loitering missiles underscore Iran’s growing expertise in missile technology and its strategic deployment of this capability to influence regional conflicts and advance its ideological goals. The missile’s technical sophistication and operational flexibility make it a formidable tool in the arsenals of Iran's non-state proxies in the region.
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