Saqr / Project 358 surface-to-air missile

The Saqr, commonly identified as Project 358 or the 358 missile, is an Iranian-designed loitering surface-to-air missile associated with Houthi-aligned forces in Yemen. Unlike conventional short-range SAMs, it uses a booster and small cruise engine to patrol for slower aerial targets, making it relevant to the Yemen Civil War's UAV, helicopter, and improvised air-defense environment.

Yemen Civil WarHouthi-aligned forces

Conflict side: Houthi-aligned forces
Built by: Iranian defense industry; exact manufacturer unconfirmed
Built in: Iran

Saqr / Project 358 surface-to-air missile, Loitering surface-to-air missile, Air Defense

Profile

Type: Loitering surface-to-air missile
Conflict side: Houthi-aligned forces
Origin: Iran
Service note: Documented in Yemen-bound interdictions from 2019 and reported in Houthi service during the Yemen Civil War

SAM air defense counter-uavmissile

Service History

In service: Reported in Houthi-aligned service by the early 2020s
Used by: Houthi-aligned forces
Wars: Yemen Civil War

Production History

Designer: Iranian defense industry; exact design bureau unconfirmed
Designed: Publicly documented by 2019
Built by: Iranian defense industry; exact manufacturer unconfirmed
Built in: Iran
Unit cost: Not publicly reported
Produced: Not publicly reported
Number built: Not publicly reported
Variants: 358 missile, Saqr-1, SA-67 designation reported in open sources

Specifications

Role: Loitering surface-to-air missile for slower aerial targets such as UAVs and helicopters
Length: Roughly 9 ft, based on recovered examples described in defense reporting
Propulsion: Solid rocket booster with a small turbojet or cruise motor for sustained flight
Guidance and sensors: Recovered examples show INS/GNSS, air data, and gyro components; infrared seeker or sensor-array details are reported but not fully confirmed
Launch and transport: Shipped in sections and assembled for launch from simple mobile ground positions
Known limitations: Open-source assessments describe limited usefulness against fast, high-performance aircraft

Conflict Usage

Yemen Civil War: Side: Houthi-aligned forcesRole: Loitering air defense against UAVs and helicoptersair defense counter-uav
Houthi-aligned forces fielded the Project 358/Saqr as a loitering surface-to-air missile; U.S. interdictions documented 358 missiles being smuggled to the Houthis, and later analysis describes the type's role against UAVs and helicopters.

Saqr / Project 358 surface-to-air missile Images

Saqr / Project 358 surface-to-air missile, Loitering surface-to-air missile, Air Defense - view 1

Saqr / Project 358 surface-to-air missile, Loitering surface-to-air missile, Air Defense - view 2

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Sources

U.S. Dhow InterdictionsPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: 358 missiles were assessed as being transferred to the Houthis in Yemen through maritime smuggling; also supports Iranian-origin background and interdicted missile imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Yemen's Houthis Employ Iranian 358 Loitering Anti-Aircraft MissilePublisher: U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, T2COM Operational Environment Enterprise | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: Project 358 was fielded by Yemen's Houthi-led military forces for air-defense use against UAVs and helicopters. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 What Air Defenses Do The Houthis In Yemen Actually Have?Publisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports background and specifications for the 358/Saqr design, including Houthi service, approximate length, loitering concept, component set, and target-set limitations. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Iran: Enabling Houthi Attacks Across the Middle EastPublisher: Defense Intelligence Agency | Note: Supports official U.S. background on the 358/Saqr comparison and Iran-linked Houthi missile and UAV capabilities. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 CENTCOM 358 Missile Components ImagePublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports image provenance for the USS Forrest Sherman 358 missile component slide and identifies the image as U.S. Central Command imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 CENTCOM Three-Five-Eight Surface-to-Air Missiles ImagePublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports image provenance for the USS Normandy 358 missile component slide and identifies the image as U.S. Central Command imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20