Specifications of the Iranian Fajr Rocket Used by Hezbollah

JAKARTA – The specifications of the Iranian Fajr rocket used by Hezbollah have recently attracted attention because of its destructive power and ability to reach Israeli territory.

Hezbollah and Israel have long been involved in conflict. Initially Hezbollah was formed to fight the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978. In the latest development, they exchanged cross-border attacks using missiles after the Israeli military operation in Gaza which claimed the lives of up to 30 thousand people.

Hizbullah is a member of the Resistance Axis with Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Palestine, and other militias in Iraq and Syria.

As a military force, Hezbollah cannot be underestimated. They have tens of thousands of trained soldiers and thousands of high-tech missiles supplied from various countries such as Iran and Russia and other countries. Iran is said to have entered the Fajr rocket from land routes via Iraq and Syria.

The following are the specifications of the Iranian Fajr rocket used by Hezbollah, reported from various sources, Wednesday (6/3/2024)

The Fajr rocket is a third generation Katyusha type made in Iran. This rocket has several variants. The Fajr-3 rocket, for example, is capable of reaching a distance of 43 kilometers with a warhead weighing 45 kilograms. Meanwhile, the Fajr-5 missile, the most advanced variant, is capable of reaching a range of 75 kilometers to 180 km with a warhead weighing 90 kg. The single-stage model has a range of 75 km and the two-stage model has a range of 180 km.

As a multi-launch rocket launcher system, the Fajr-5 is equipped with a 333mm caliber rocket. This mobile vehicle-supported launch system was developed by the Shahid Bagheri Industries division and was first tested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Sunday (7/5/2023).

Reporting from Army Recognition, the Fajr-5 rocket is equipped with a thermobaric warhead. The destructive power of a thermobaric warhead is up to 1.5 times greater than that of trinitrotoluene (TNT), increasing its blast radius and thermal effect.

The Fajr-5 has a total of four 333 mm diameter rocket launcher tubes in a single layer with launcher elevations from 0 to +57º and with travois of 45º to the left and right. The launch tube is mounted on a rotating platform with a manually operated elevation and travois mechanism on the left side.

The Fajr-5 rocket is 6,485 m long and has a launch weight of 915 kg with a High Explosive (HE) warhead equipped with an impact or near impact lock but other types of warheads can also be fitted including sub-munitions and incendiary HE, HE-FRAG, and smoke.

The Fajr-5 system has a rate of fire of one rocket every four or eight seconds and the replacement 333 mm Fajr-5 rockets are packaged individually in a crate that weighs 1.21 tonnes. Rockets can be launched singly or in bursts and once the launch has exhausted the rocket, it will usually be placed in another position where a new rocket will be loaded using a crane.

Mobility

The Fajr-5 is based on a modified Mercedes-Benz 2624 series truck chassis (6×6) with a fully enclosed two-door engine and cab at the front. Behind the cabin there is a small space for the crew. The latest production Fajr-5 is mounted on the new Mercedes Benz 2631 6 x 6 chassis and the platform is now integrated in a complete weapons system rather than individual launchers. The new truck’s chassis has improved cross-country mobility and a fully enclosed front cab provides space for the driver and two passengers.

In addition, a radar system is also embedded to provide the ability to track and attack sea targets. Another feature added is long-range fire capability where the command vehicle can link all Fajr-5s within a range of 20 km. To provide a more stable firing platform, four stabilizers lower to the ground before the rocket is launched, two of which are at the rear of the vehicle with another between the second and third axles on either side.

(msf)