Ya Zahra air defense system

{{About||Operation Karbala 5 code words|Operation Karbala 5 code words|name Zahra|Zahra (name)}}

{{Infobox weapon

| name= Ya Zahra (Air defense system)

| image= Ya Zahra.jpg

| image_size= 300

| caption= Ya Zahra launcher and command vehicle

| origin= Iran

| type= Light, mobile air defense system

|is_missile=yes

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| service= 2013-present{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

| used_by= Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force

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| production_date=2013-present{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

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| width=2.2m

| height=1.5m

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| primary_armament=2 or 4 light surface to air missiles

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Ya Zahra (Persian: یا زهراء, O Zahra) is an Iranian unlicensed copy of the Chinese HQ-7 missile,{{cite web|url=https://theiranproject.com/blog/2013/02/01/ya-zahra3-iran-from-weapons-to-concepts/|title=YA Zahra3: Iran; from weapons to concepts|website=theiranproject.com|date=February 2013}} itself an unlicensed copy of the French Crotale missile short-range air defense system.{{cite web|url=http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/189847|title=موشک‌های کروز باسامانه "یا زهرا" نابود می‌شوند+عکس|date=29 January 2013}} The system entered production in 2013.

File:Defenders of the Sky of Velayat III (20).jpg

The Ya Zahra differs from Iran's Raad in being a short-range air defense system. Iranian sources say it is able to form a missile defense network. This system was successfully tested in "Defenders of Velayat Skies 4" air defense drills.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-missile-idUSBRE8AC0L920121113|title=Iran unveils new missile systems on second day of drills|date=13 November 2012|newspaper=Reuters}} Iranian sources claim the Ya Zahra is more advanced than the French Crotale.

Mass production of the Ya Zahra air defense system officially began on January 27, 2013.http://www.armyrecognition.com/january_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/iran_starts_mass_production_of_new_home-made_air_defense_missile_system_ya_zahra_2701134.html Iran starts mass production of Ya Zahra

The 3rd generation of the Ya Zahra system, Ya Zahra-3, has electo-optical equipment that reportedly helps to detect and track targets when the battlefield is affected by heavy jamming. Also Ya Zahra has a full mobile version named Herz-9.{{cite news|url=http://www.mashreghnews.ir/fa/news/221192|title=حرز نهم؛ تحفه 2013 ایران برای رزمندگان مقاومت+عکس|newspaper=مشرق نیوز|date=17 June 2013}}

The missile used by the system is the Shahab Thaqeb.Iranian Military Capability 2011: 3. SHORAD – Short Range Air Defense. (January 2011) It has been under development since at least 2011.

{{External media

|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6jh6VyBpYM&t=2m10s Ya Zahra firing against target]

|video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCc1DRHOnxw Ya Zahra factory]

|image1=[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4i6i4bPTyzI/UQUtbi6RXGI/AAAAAAAAvDw/qBtvksoPQMg/s1600/Ya+Zahra+Air+Defense+System.jpg Ya Zahra ADS fires a missile]

}}