00:20Has Iran's so-called F-35 destroyer officially entered Armenia's military arsenal?
00:28A major new development in the South Caucasus is drawing attention after Armenia officially
00:34inducted Iran's Majid AD-08 air defense system into active military service.
00:42The move marks the first confirmed foreign deployment and export of the Iranian-made
00:47air defense platform, a system that gained global attention during recent regional conflicts
00:53after Iranian media and military sources claimed it successfully intercepted advanced drones
00:59and even challenged stealth aircraft operations.
01:03The system was publicly displayed during rehearsals for Armenia's Republic Day military parade
01:09in Yerevan, where multiple launcher vehicles believed to be Majid AD-08 units were spotted
01:16moving through Republic Square.
01:18Originally unveiled by Iran in 2021, the Majid system was specifically designed to counter
01:25drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and other low-flying aerial threats.
01:30But what makes this system especially controversial is its so-called silent operating capability.
01:36Unlike traditional air defense systems that rely heavily on radar emissions, the Majid system
01:43primarily uses electro-optical and infrared tracking systems to detect and engage targets.
01:49That means it can potentially track incoming drones or aircraft without broadcasting radar signals
01:56that could expose its position.
01:58Iran has heavily promoted the system as a highly effective anti-drone weapon, particularly
02:04against modern FPV drones and low-altitude threats that have transformed battlefields across
02:10the Middle East. During the recent Iran-linked conflict cycle, Iranian media outlets
02:16even claimed the Majid system played a role in intercepting American and Israeli drones.
02:22Some pro-Iran narratives went even further, calling it an F-35 destroyer after unverified
02:29claims linked the system to stealth aircraft tracking incidents.
02:33While those specific claims remain disputed and unconfirmed independently, the system's
02:39growing reputation has clearly boosted its strategic image.
02:43For Armenia, the acquisition reflects a major shift in military strategy. After years of relying
02:50heavily on Russian weapons systems, Yerevan has increasingly diversified its defense partnerships,
02:56following repeated security frustrations linked to Nagorno-Karabakh and regional tensions with
03:02Azerbaijan. Armenia has already expanded military cooperation with India and France, and now a
03:09major security partner.
03:13Military analysts say the Majid system could help Armenia strengthen low-altitude air defense
03:19against drones, a key weakness exposed during previous clashes where Azerbaijani forces used
03:25Turkish and Israeli drone systems extensively. The deployment also carries wider geopolitical implications.
03:33Iran's growing military relationship with Armenia is likely to concern Azerbaijan and Turkey, both
03:40of which maintain close strategic ties with Israel. For Tehran, exporting the Majid system is also
03:47symbolically important. It demonstrates Iran's ability to produce and export advanced military
03:53technology, despite years of sanctions and international pressure. At the same time, it expands Iranian influence
04:01deeper into the strategically sensitive South Caucasus region. So far, neither Armenia nor Iran has
04:08disclosed how many systems were transferred or whether additional military equipment was included in the
04:13deal. But one thing is clear, Iran's battlefield-tested air defense technology has now officially crossed its
04:21borders, and the regional balance of power may be shifting once again.
04:29Subscribe to One India and never miss an update. Download the One India app now.
Comments