The Majid air defense weapon system, also known as AD-08, is a short-range, low altitude surface-to-air missile system developed by Iran's defense industries organization. The Majid system made its initial appearance during a parade on April 18, 2021, and was subsequently utilized in the military exercises known as 'Defenders of the Sky of Velayat 1400' in the same year."Military Knowledge: Majid Short-Range Air Defense System". Islamic World News."Iran unveils AD-08-Majid C-UAS system "with 15km range"". Unmanned Airspace, 12 January 2023. Live URL, 3 May 2026."Iran's Army tests Majid missile system". IRNA, 4 February 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026."Iran Unveils Majid Air Missile System". Tehran: Kayhan, Kayhan Institute."Iran Army successfully tests new missile system in military drillhttps://www.tabnak.ir/en/news/5945/iran-army-successfully-tests-new-missile-system-in-military-drill. tabnak.ir, 4 February 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
Naming Majid is a name derived from Majid Ghorbankhani as a Holy Shrine Defender.
Features
The Majid short-range air defence system is capable of operating in all weather conditions and can simultaneously target and launch missiles against four different threats such as drones, cruise missiles, helicopters and other low-maneuvering targets. The Majid weapon system consists of four main components: an electro-optical system for target identification and tracking, a fire control command system, a launcher with four missile compartments and AD-08 air defense missiles. The main component of this system is the target detection and tracking mechanism, where an electro-optical system is responsible for identifying targets and guiding the system. The system has a detection range of 15 km and can monitor a full 360 degrees horizontally as well as an altitude range of 0 to 12 degrees. The missiles used in the Majid system, known as AD-08 missiles, are capable of engaging targets at a maximum range of 8 km and an altitude of up to 6 km. The air defense system comprised two missiles along with an airborne radiation detection system mounted on an Aras 2 vehicle. The guidance of these missiles is passive (without wave propagation) and uses an imaging infrared seeker with proximity fuses, which increases the reliability of the system in destroying the intended targets."Iran Tests Majid Missile System Against Drones in Air Defense Drills". Tehran: iranpress.com. "Iran's Army tests Majid missile system". NourNews, 2 April 2025. Live URL, 3 May 2026."Vider: Iran Army test-launches 'Majid' Air Defense System". Tehran: Mehr News, Mehr Media Group, 11 October 2021. Live URL, 3 May 2026.
Operational history Twelve-Day War
According to Tehran Times, the Majid short-range air defence system was used during the 2025 Twelve-Day War to shoot down Israeli drones operating above Iranian airspace, shooting down 17 Israeli UAVs.https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/515003/Iran-downed-17-advanced-Israeli-drones-in-its-western-skies
On 28 May 2026, Armenia publicly displayed Iran's AD-08 Majid short-range air defense system during Republic Day celebrations in Yerevan, becoming the first known foreign operator of the system. The appearance of the system marked the first confirmed export of the Majid AD-08 to a foreign military.
Operators
- Armenian Armed Forces: First seen at the May 28, 2026 military parade.
See also Tabas (air defense system) Arman (missile system) Azarakhsh
References