Toophan#Variants
{{about|anti-tank guided missile|the MRAP|Toofan (MRAP)}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Toophan
| image = Toophan Fars.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = The Toophan on a tripod.
| origin = Iran
| type = Anti-tank missile
| is_ranged = yes
| is_missile = yes
| service = 1987–present
| wars = Iran–Iraq War
2006 Lebanon War
Syrian Civil War
War in Iraq (2013–2017)
Yemeni Civil War
| designer = Hughes Missile Systems
| design_date = Early to mid 1980s
| manufacturer = Aerospace Industries Organization (missiles, launchers)
Iran Electronics Industries (guidance units)
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1985–present
| number =
| variants = See Variants
| spec_label =
| weight =
| length = varies based on variant
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter = 0.152 m
| crew =
| cartridge =
| caliber =
| barrels =
| action =
| rate =
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range = 3,500–3,750 m
| feed =
| sights =
| filling = HE, HEAT, or thermobaric
| filling_weight = 3.6 kg
| detonation =
| yield =
| armour =
| wingspan =
| propellant =
| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range =
| ceiling =
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| boost =
| speed = 310 m/s (peak)
180 m/s (average)
| guidance = Wire-guidance. Laser guidance for some variants
| steering =
| accuracy =
| launch_platform =
| transport =
}}
The Toophan ({{langx|fa|طوفان}} "typhoon", rarely Toofan) is an Iranian SACLOS anti-tank guided missile reverse-engineered from the American BGM-71 TOW missile. The Toophan 1, an unlicensed copy of the BGM-71A TOW missile, began mass production in 1988{{cite web|url=http://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-Iran/FileId/89383/|title=Arms Deliveries to Iran and Self-Sufficiency|date=24 February 1988|publisher=Defense Intelligence Agency|access-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183702/http://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-Iran/FileId/89383/|archive-date=14 January 2018|url-status=live}} and the Toophan 2, a BGM-71C ITOW variant, was publicly shown in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/toophan.htm|title=Toophan|first=John|last=Pike|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070311/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/toophan.htm|archive-date=2018-06-21|url-status=live}}
The Toophan comes in at least 11 variants, many of which are poorly documented, including variants with laser guidance, thermobaric warheads, and tandem-warheads with increased penetration.{{cite web|url=http://armamentresearch.com/saudi-led-coalition-seizes-iranian-arms-en-route-to-yemen/|title=Saudi-led Coalition seizes Iranian arms en route to Yemen – Armament Research Services|publisher=Armament Research Services|author=Galen Wright|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709111325/http://armamentresearch.com/saudi-led-coalition-seizes-iranian-arms-en-route-to-yemen/|archive-date=July 9, 2017|url-status=live}} The Toophan is manufactured jointly by the Aerospace Industries Organization of Iran and Iran Electronics Industries.
It is normally deployed from ground-based tripods, but can also be mounted on fighting vehicles and helicopters. Like the BGM-71 TOW missile, the Toophan is a large, rugged, powerful, and reliable anti-tank guided missile deployed by small teams against tanks, armored vehicles, buildings, and other targets. The Toophan forms the backbone of the Iranian Armed Forces' ATGM inventory and is procured in large quantities in a variety of variants.
The Toophan has been exported to the governments of Iraq and Syria and to a large number of non-state actors in the Middle East, and has been used in the Iran–Iraq War, the 2006 Lebanon War and the Iraqi, Syrian, and Yemeni Civil Wars.
Development
Iran was among the earliest countries to import the TOW missile, as far back as 1971. Extensive repair and assembly facilities were set up at the Iran Electronics Industries (IEI) by the Texas-based Emerson Energy Systems, as well as Hughes Missile Systems, to repair TOW and FGM-77A Dragon missiles.
In May 1975, negotiations between Iran and Hughes Missile Systems on co-production of TOW and AGM-65 Maverick missiles stalled over disagreements in the pricing structure. Hughes set the royalty and initial investment costs for Iran at $20 million for the TOW and $25 million for the Maverick. The subsequent Iranian Revolution in 1979 ended all plans for such co-production.Ann Tibbitts Schulz, Buying Security: Iran Under the Monarchy (San Francisco: Westview Press, 1989), pp. 57–58. {{ISBN|978-0813376615}}
The Iran–Iraq war lead to Iran having an acute need for anti-tank guided missiles to counter Iraq's massive armored formations, leading Iran to import thousands more TOW missiles, as well as Soviet AT-3 Sagger ATGMs. Attempts at local production of both systems began in the first half of the war, with the TOW missile being prioritized due to its better performance.{{cite web|url=http://hamshahrionline.ir/details/177687|script-title=fa:آشنایی با موشکهای ضد زره ایران|website=hamshahrionline.ir|date=16 July 2012 |language=fa|access-date=2018-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425040910/http://hamshahrionline.ir/details/177687|archive-date=2017-04-25|url-status=live}} The earliest prototype version was ready in mid-1985, but performance was disappointing compared to Iran's US-made TOW missiles, which received widespread praise in Iran at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/797267/اعلام-رسمی-دستیابی-ایران-به-موشک-ضد-زره-با-سرجنگی-ترموباریک|script-title=fa:اعلام رسمی دستیابی ایران به موشک ضد زره با سرجنگی «ترموباریک»/ ۷ عضو پر افتخار خانواده «توفان» تکمیل شدند +عکس|publisher=mashreghnews|language=fa|access-date=2019-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143334/https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/797267/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF-%D8%B2%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9|archive-date=2018-06-21|url-status=live |date=11 November 2017 }} Following about a year and a half more of R&D work, the Toophan was tested against Iraqi tanks and showed better performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/365070/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-3-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF%D8%B2%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%98%D9%87-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3|script-title=fa:«توفان 3» مرگبارترین موشک ضدزره ایرانی با سرجنگی ویژه +عکس|date=23 November 2014|language=fa|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403052004/https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/365070/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-3-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%B6%D8%AF%D8%B2%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D9%88%DB%8C%DA%98%D9%87-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3|archive-date=3 April 2018|url-status=live}} The missile was shown on an Iranian TV show on March 21, 1987, and production of what would be named the Toophan 1 began by early 1988. R&D and production work continued through the 1990s.{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/178035.html|script-title=ru:Легкое противотанковое вооружение Ирана. Часть 1|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=5 October 2012|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714213357/https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/178035.html|archive-date=14 July 2018|url-status=live}} The missile was not publicly revealed until 2000, when the Toophan 1 and Toophan 2 were publicly unveiled at the same time.{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jdw/jdw000526_2_n.shtml|title=Another ATGW for Iran – Jane's Military Aerospace|date=7 February 2003|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207200405/http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jdw/jdw000526_2_n.shtml|archive-date=7 February 2003}} The Toophan has since become Iran's primary anti-tank guided missile.
File:Toophan guidance unit.jpg
In addition to Toophan missiles, Iran also produces reverse engineered tripod launchers, guidance sets, and storage boxes, all of which bear the Toophan name.{{cite web|url=http://www.mindexcenter.ir/products-category/rocket-and-missile|title=Rocket and Missile – IRAN Defence Products|date=22 September 2015|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922024145/http://www.mindexcenter.ir/products-category/rocket-and-missile|archive-date=22 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://mindexcenter.ir/product/toophan-missile-advanced-guaidance-set|title=Toophan Missile Advanced Guaidance Set|publisher=IRAN Defence Products|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318190412/http://mindexcenter.ir/product/toophan-missile-advanced-guaidance-set|archive-date=2018-03-18|url-status=live}} Toophan missiles can be fired from TOW launchers, and their components are generally interchangeable.Christopher F. Foss, "Iran offers new anti-tank missiles for export," Jane's Missiles & Rockets, 1 July 2000 A number of sources say that the Toophan's quality is inferior to that of original American-made TOW missiles, but is still robustly capable.{{cite web|url=http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/jssd/2018-03-23/doc-ifysnevm1378516.shtml|script-title=zh:土耳其坦克被打爆祸首到底是谁？这次真不是陶式导弹|date=March 23, 2018|language=zh-hans|author=Sina Military|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101943/http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/jssd/2018-03-23/doc-ifysnevm1378516.shtml|archive-date=April 2, 2018|url-status=live}}
In 2014 Iran showed a Toophan/TOW simulator they built for helicopter-launched missiles.{{cite web|url=https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/312740/%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B4%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88-%D9%88-%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%88%DA%A9|title=رونمایی از شبیه ساز تاو و شینوک|date=25 May 2014|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051622/https://www.mashreghnews.ir/news/312740/%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B4%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%88-%D9%88-%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%88%DA%A9|archive-date=3 April 2018|url-status=live}} In a December 2016 military exercise Iran used the missile against naval targets.{{cite web |title=New Interceptor Missiles Fired in Iran Military Drill |url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/12/12/1265342/new-interceptor-missiles-fired-in-iran-military-drill |publisher=Tasnim News Agency |date=12 December 2016 |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213111234/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/12/12/1265342/new-interceptor-missiles-fired-in-iran-military-drill |archive-date=13 December 2016 |url-status=live }} In 2018 Iran showed off thermal-sights which can be used with the Toophan.{{cite web|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/01/26/1638573/iran-builds-thermal-imaging-infrared-cameras-photos|title=Iran Builds Thermal Imaging Infrared Cameras (+Photos) – Tasnim News Agency|access-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102721/https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/01/26/1638573/iran-builds-thermal-imaging-infrared-cameras-photos|archive-date=2018-03-24|url-status=live}} The Toophan can be mounted on Boragh APCs, ATVs,{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/162958.html|script-title=ru:Противотанковые квадроциклы..|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=24 May 2012|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607075056/http://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/162958.html|archive-date=7 June 2012|url-status=live}} or Safir jeeps.{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/583238.html|script-title=ru:Парад сил народного ополчения Ирака в священном шиитском г.Эн-Наджаф|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=20 February 2017|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222200446/http://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/583238.html|archive-date=22 February 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://alencontre.org/moyenorient/syrie/syrie-alep-les-milices-chiites-en-premiere-ligne.html|title=A l'encontre » Syrie. Alep: les milices chiites en première ligne|website=alencontre.org|language=fr|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101749/https://alencontre.org/moyenorient/syrie/syrie-alep-les-milices-chiites-en-premiere-ligne.html|archive-date=April 2, 2018|url-status=live}} Toophan missiles can be repaired by Iran's Shiraz Electronics Industries.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/arawnsley/status/831261301271846912|title=Adam Rawnsley on Twitter}}
The Toophan was later developed into the Sadid-1, an ambitious project to build a competitor to the Israeli Spike-ER fire-and-forget missile for attack helicopters and drones. The Sadid-1 had limited success, but was used to develop the successful Sadid-345 glide bomb, which in turn spun off a smaller counterpart, the Qaem air-to-ground munition.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
In 2018, it's reported that the Toophan can have the “RU244TK” and “RU150TK” thermal imaging cameras attached.{{cite web | url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/01/26/1638573/iran-builds-thermal-imaging-infrared-cameras-photos | title=Iran Builds Thermal Imaging Infrared Cameras (+Photos) - Defense news }}
Combat history
=Iran–Iraq War=
Prototype versions of the Toophan-1 were used in the tail end of the Iran–Iraq War.
=2006 Lebanon War=
Hezbollah received Toophan missiles in the early 2000s and used them against Israeli Merkava tanks and other vehicles during the 2006 Lebanon War.{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.com/p698954/Hezbollah%E2%80%99stic_Examination/|access-date=2014-01-08|title=Hezbollah's Examination|first=Mikhail|last=Barabanov|work=Kommersant|date=2006-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108160513/http://www.kommersant.com/p698954/Hezbollah%E2%80%99stic_Examination/|archive-date=2014-01-08|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5823736/موشک-توفان-گردبادی-که-در-33-روز-اسرائیل-را-شخم-زد|script-title=fa: موشک توفان؛ گردبادی که در 33 روز اسرائیل را شخم زد|language=fa|author=Hamid Reza Ghorbani|access-date=2019-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207103035/https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/5823736/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B4%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%B1-33-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D8%AE%D9%85-%D8%B2%D8%AF|archive-date=2018-12-07|url-status=live}}
=Syrian Civil War=
The Toophan missile has seen extensive use in the Syrian Civil War. Hezbollah has used Toophan missiles in the war{{cite web|url=http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_20957/E_032_16_1431775832.pdf|title=Spotlight on Iran (January 31 – February 14, 2016)|date=February 14, 2016|publisher=The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center|first=Raz|last=Zimmt|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121212657/http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_20957/E_032_16_1431775832.pdf|archive-date=November 21, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://fa.abna24.com/service/middle/archive/2016/01/31/696868/story.html|script-title=fa:سلاح پیشرفته ایرانی در دست رزمندگان لبنان در سوریه + عکس|first=اختصاصی|last=ابنا|date=31 January 2016|publisher=AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA)|language=fa|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318183115/http://fa.abna24.com/service/middle/archive/2016/01/31/696868/story.html|archive-date=18 March 2018|url-status=live}} and is one of the missile's most prominent users.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} The missiles have also been provided to the Syrian Army and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Syria. Toophan missiles first appeared in Syria reportedly in October 2015.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ivansidorenko1/status/677659697487441921|title=Ivan Sidorenko on Twitter: "#Syria Iranian Toophan was first seen in Aleppo Region about October 13th, 2015 - #Iran #Shia #Shiite #Iraq #Iraqi – "|date=7 September 2016}}{{dead link|date=August 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Overall the Toophan missile's use in Syria is poorly documented, but Toophan-1 missiles seem to be the most common.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Furthermore, the Kurdish YPG militia has used Toophan 1 missiles as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.cohm/article/kurdish-ypg-fire-iranian-made-missile-turkish-army-decoy-video/|title=Kurdish YPG fire Iranian-made missile at Turkish Army decoy (video)|date=30 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The missiles have since proliferated to a wide range of non-state actors operating in Syria. In addition, Toophan missiles have been captured by groups fighting the Syrian government, including ISIS{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/aldin_ww/status/749591249615814656|title=#ISIS in #Iraq using #Iran Toophan ATGM to destroy #ISF HUMVEE near Shirqat.|author=Aldin|publisher=twitter.com}} and al-Nusra.
=Iraqi Civil War=
The first known Iraqi group to receive Toophans was Asaib-Ahl-Al-Haq in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://aerohisto.blogspot.ae/2015/07/the-discreet-use-of-bgm-71-tow-atgm-in.html|title=The discreet use of BGM-71 TOW ATGM in Iraq points to Iran|website=aerohisto.blogspot.ae|date=24 July 2015 |access-date=2018-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041534/https://aerohisto.blogspot.ae/2015/07/the-discreet-use-of-bgm-71-tow-atgm-in.html|archive-date=2018-03-08|url-status=live}} The Badr Organization obtained Toophans in 2015 and the Toophan has since been provided to other Shiite militias organized under the Popular Mobilization Units.{{cite web|url=https://warisboring.com/iranian-tow-missile-knockoffs-spread-to-war-zones/|title=Iranian TOW Missile Knockoffs Spread to War Zones|publisher=War is Boring|last=Rawnsley|first=Adam|date=June 18, 2016|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233541/https://warisboring.com/iranian-tow-missile-knockoffs-spread-to-war-zones/|archive-date=January 5, 2018|url-status=live}} Iraq's Federal Police have also been delivered Toophans.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/iraqi-soldiers-celebrate-after-foiling-7663118|title=Iraqi soldiers celebrate after foiling ISIS car bomb attack with missile|first=Kara|last=O'Neill|website=Daily Mirror|date=31 March 2016|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102135/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/iraqi-soldiers-celebrate-after-foiling-7663118|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz58SPFcYjs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/vz58SPFcYjs |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=Toophan ATGM missile used by resistance in Iraq to take out terrorist suicide car bomber|last=ali javid|date=7 April 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
=Yemen Civil War=
Iran has shipped Toophan missiles to the Houthis in Yemen as well, where they have been used in combat.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/News/Article/Article/1396769/dod-shows-iranian-weapons-as-proof-of-tehrans-duplicitous-ambitions/|title=DoD Shows Iranian Weapons as Proof of Tehran's Duplicitous Ambitions|publisher=DoD News, Defense Media Activity|author=Jim Garamone|access-date=2018-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318183246/https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1396769/dod-shows-iranian-weapons-as-proof-of-tehrans-duplicitous-ambitions/|archive-date=2018-03-18|url-status=live}} The first video of Houthis using a Toophan missile was published in November 2018.{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/781220.html |script-title=ru:Хуситы с ПТРК TOW или более вероятно с его иранской копией Toophan|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=30 Nov 2018}}
Identification
Given that the Toophan is reverse-engineered from the US TOW missile, the identification of Toophan missiles versus TOW missiles is difficult. The Toophan ATGM is very similar to the American BGM-71 TOW ATGM from which it is reverse-engineered. Toophan missiles, launchers, control units, and crates are essentially interchangeable with their American counterparts and are regularly mixed together. The many variations of TOW and Toophan missiles also poses challenges.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
Toophan missiles can often be identified by their turquoise bands installed by Iran's Defense Industries Organization{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/351697.html|script-title=ru:Иранские TOW в Ираке|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=25 July 2015|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330134518/https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/351697.html|archive-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live}} or by a faint black band on the rear end of the launcher.{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/701712.html|script-title=ru:Пуск курдами ПТУР Toophan по турецкому надувному макету танка|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=31 January 2018}} Toophan missiles, on their packaging, are instead labeled as TOW missiles; for example a Toophan 2M is labeled as a "TOW 2M".{{cite web|url=https://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/459037.html|script-title=ru:Маркировка иранских "Туфанов"|first=Yuri|last=Lyamin|language=ru|date=10 May 2016|access-date=18 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330015229/http://imp-navigator.livejournal.com/459037.html|archive-date=30 March 2017|url-status=live}}
Modern TOW tripods have black rings, while Toophan tripods have yellow rings. Internally, Toophan missiles have different screw placement{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4029698/evidence-shows-iranian-weapons-proliferation|title=DVIDS – Images – Evidence Shows Iranian Weapons Proliferation [Image 31 of 68]|date=29 December 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229173830/https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4029698/evidence-shows-iranian-weapons-proliferation|archive-date=29 December 2017}} and cylindrical launch motor nozzles.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4095666/iranian-weapons-proliferation-evidence|title=Iranian Weapons Proliferation Evidence|author=Photo by EJ Hersom|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151138/https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4095666/iranian-weapons-proliferation-evidence|archive-date=March 7, 2018|url-status=live}}
Variants
Operators
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
- {{IRN}}
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsAli Nuri Zadeh (1 August 2001) "Upon Regional and International Pressure, Iran Scales Down the Production of Ballistic Missiles and Focuses on Shorter Range and Better More Accurate Weapons; Iran Announced a Successful Test of Anti- Armor Saeqeh-1 Missile," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London)
- Iranian Army
- Ground Forces
- {{SYR}}
- Syrian Arab Army
- YPG
- {{IRQ}}
- Popular Mobilization Units{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1453862017ENGLISH.PDF|title=Iraq: Turning a blind eye: The arming of the Popular Mobilization Units|date=5 January 2017|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313161058/https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1453862017ENGLISH.PDF|archive-date=13 March 2017|url-status=live}}
- {{YEM}}
- {{flag|Houthis}}
- {{flag|Lebanon}}
- {{flagicon image|InfoboxHez.PNG}} Hezbollah{{cite web | url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/escalating-conflict-hezbollah-syria | title=The Escalating Conflict with Hezbollah in Syria | date=20 June 2018 | last1=Jones | first1=Seth G. | last2=Markusen | first2=Maxwell B. }}