The Iranian SAM Network

There is an interesting use of Google Earth by Sean O'Connor to map out the Iranian SAM network over at the IMINT & Analysis blog. About a year ago I mapped out very similar information using Google Earth for a scenario in Harpoon 3, and in comparing my numbers it doesn't look like much has changed in the last year.

The rotations of SAMs appear to be less than a mile from original location, in other words, the current SAM systems are not being rotated by type. At the time my impression was the Iranian SAM network had some huge holes, and it appears Sean came to the same conclusion.

I'm not familiar enough with Google Earth to check the frequency of satellite imagery updates, but even if the time frame is within 6 months, point in time analysis over multiple points can be revealing in terms of tendencies.

For comparison purposes, check out the analysis of the Syrian SAM Network. When Israel struck Syria last month several people commented how much larger Syria's air defenses are compared to Iran. Sean's analysis highlights that point, which makes what Israel did all that much more impressive.

H/T: Dimitris at HHQ