Kowsar

For the administrative subdivision of Iran, see Kowsar County. For other uses, see Kowsar (disambiguation).

Kowsar
Type	Anti-ship missile
Service history
In service	2006
Production history
Manufacturer	Iran
Specifications
Weight	100 kg
Length	2.507 m
Diameter	0.18 m
Warhead	29 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive
Engine	Solid rocket engine
Wingspan	0.587 m (unfolded); 0.450 m (folded)
Operational range	15-20 km
Flight altitude	15-20 m (flight)
Speed	Mach 0.8
Guidance system	TV-homing, Infra-red, millimetre radar
Launch platform	Ground-based vehicles and Zolfaghar class fast attack craft

Kowsar (or Kosar) is a medium-range, land-based anti-ship missile made by Iran. It can defeat electronic jamming systems and "cannot be thrown off course", according to Iranian officials.

The Kowsar designation apparently (Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance 2006) is used to refer to two different missiles: Iranian-produced versions of the PRC C-701 and the TL-10A.

Combat history

Some news reports indicate that this was the missile used on July 14, 2006 in the 2006 Lebanon War when Hezbollah fired two at Israeli warships. One of the missiles hit the corvette INS Hanit, causing heavy damage and the deaths of four Israeli servicemen. The other missile hit an Egyptian merchant ship causing heavy damage; it is reported that all the crew survived.

See also

• Military of Iran
• Iranian military industry
• Equipment of the Iranian Army

References

• Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance - "Iran acquires additional Chinese missile technology." Aviation Week & Space Technology. April 10, 2006.
• Picture