Kowsar

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Kowsar


caption=
origin=
type=anti-ship missile
service=
used_by=
manufacturer=Iran
unit_cost=
production_date=
service=2006
engine=Solid rocket engine
weight=100 kg
length=2.507 m
diameter=0.18 m
wingspan=0.587 m (unfolded); 0.450 m (folded)
speed=Mach 0.8
vehicle_range=15-20 km
ceiling=
altitude=15-20 m (flight)
filling=29 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive
guidance=TV-homing, Infra-red, millimetre radar
detonation=
launch_platform=ground-based vehicles

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. [ [http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=307756 IRGC test-fires super-modern flying boat] ]

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. [ [http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1184 Hizballah Brings out Iranian Silkworm to Hit Israel Navy Corvette (Iranian-made C-802)] ] [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17649115.htm Israel turning to Turkey to block Hizbollah arms, Reuters, Aug 17, 2006] ] One of the missiles hit the corvette INS "Hanit", causing heavy damage and the deaths of four Israeli servicemen. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/738748.html IDF finds bodies of missing sailors aboard damaged Navy ship] ] The other missile hit an Egyptian merchant ship causing heavy damage; it is reported that all the crew survived. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/15/AR2006071500593.html Egypt confirms ship hit off Lebanon, crew safe] ] Chinese government sources have stated that the missile was not a C-802/Noor. The "Hanit" did suffer major damage to its steering and some to its engine from the missile hit, and had to be removed from the area, but the damage was lighter than initially feared. Using hits by the Harpoon missile — which has a warhead approximately 1.5 times larger than the C-802, and is generally considered able to cripple a corvette-sized vessel with a single hit — as a reference point, it seems likely that the missiles used by Hezbollah were not Noor missiles, and were the smaller Kowsar. [E.g. [http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2006/07/updated-what-hit-ins-ahi-hanit.html] ] The Kowsar missiles are classed as being able to sink a FAC with one hit, which is more in line with the reported damage.

See also

*Military of Iran
*Iranian military industry
*Current Equipment of the Iranian Army

References

* [http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/index/news/current/iranacquireschinesetechnology.html Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance] - "Iran acquires additional Chinese missile technology." "Aviation Week & Space Technology." April 10, 2006.
* [http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2007/0702/iran_missile_test0219.jpgPicture]