Profile
- Type
- HF over-the-horizon early-warning radar
- Conflict side
- Iran
- Origin
- Iran
- Service note
- 2011-present
Air Defense
Ghadir early-warning radar
Iran's Ghadir early-warning radar is a fixed-site HF over-the-horizon surveillance system used to watch air approaches and maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces struck Iranian radar sites at Goruk and Qeshm Island after an Iranian drone launch, highlighting the network's role in Iran's air-defense posture.
- Conflict side
- Iran
- Built by
- Iranian defense industry
- Built in
- Iran
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Service History
- In service
- Entered service in 2012; later units were unveiled in 2014 and 2020
- Used by
- Iranian Air Defense Force, IRGC Air Defense Force
- Wars
- United States-Iran Conflict
Production History
- Designer
- Iranian defense industry
- Designed
- 2011
- Built by
- Iranian defense industry
- Built in
- Iran
- Produced
- 2011-present
- Number built
- At least 13 known systems by 2025
- Variants
- Ghadir-type radar
Specifications
- Frequency band
- High frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz)
- Range
- Up to 1,100 km
- Altitude coverage
- Up to 300 km
- Targets
- Aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones
- Coverage
- Strategic over-the-horizon surveillance of air approaches and maritime routes
Conflict Usage
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: IranRole: Coastal surveillance and early warning
Used by Iranian forces in the United States-Iran Conflict for coastal surveillance and early warning along the Strait of Hormuz; CENTCOM reported U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites at Goruk and Qeshm Island after Iran launched drones toward the strait.
Ghadir early-warning radar Images
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Iran Deploys Radar Systems for Potential US StrikePublisher: Newsweek | Note: Supports the Ghadir network's Iranian origin, early-warning role, HF over-the-horizon description, long-range detection mission, and service context near the Persian Gulf. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Going Blind: The Systematic Takedown of Iran's Early Warning NetworkPublisher: Armada International | Note: Supports Ghadir early-warning network specifications, the 13-system estimate, and the early-warning coverage role across Iran. | Accessed: 2026-06-20CENTCOM Forces Defeat Missiles, Drones Launched by IranPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports United States-Iran Conflict direct use: Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites were fielded by Iranian forces at Goruk and Qeshm Island before U.S. forces struck them after Iran launched drones toward the Strait of Hormuz. | Accessed: 2026-06-20US strikes Iran radar sites after Iranian drone launchPublisher: Reuters / Internazionale | Note: Supports United States-Iran Conflict direct use: Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites were fielded by Iranian forces at Goruk and Qeshm Island before U.S. strikes after Iran launched drones toward the Strait of Hormuz. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Entry into service of Ghadir early warning radar (11).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the primary Ghadir radar image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Unveiling of Ghadir early warning radar (2014) (07).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for a secondary Ghadir radar image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Unveiling of Ghadir early warning radar (2014) (20).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for a third Ghadir radar image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20