Misagh-2

History

The Misagh-2 is an Iranian man-portable infrared-guided surface-to-air missile system intended for short-range air defence against low-flying aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. It uses passive infrared homing and operates as a fire-and-forget weapon after launch.

The Misagh-2 succeeded the earlier Misagh-1 and belongs to a family derived from Chinese surface-to-air missile technology. Technical descriptions differ on its precise Chinese antecedent, variously linking the Iranian system to the QW-1, QW-1M or QW-2 family.

Domestic mass production of the Misagh-2 was launched in February 2006. By 2026, the system had also been reported in Russian service for defence against Ukrainian unmanned aircraft in the Rostov region.

The Misagh-2 incorporated changes to propulsion, guidance and other components compared with the Misagh-1. A later development, the Misagh-3, introduced further seeker and propulsion improvements together with a laser proximity fuze intended to improve performance against small and manoeuvring aerial targets.

Design

The Misagh-2 is a shoulder-launched missile system designed to be operated by one soldier. The complete weapon in firing configuration is reported to weigh 18 kg, while the missile itself weighs 11.32 kg. The missile is approximately 1.59 m long.

Guidance is provided by a passive infrared seeker. The system is described as using a dual-band infrared seeker intended to improve discrimination of the target from heat flares and environmental infrared sources. Because guidance is autonomous after launch, the operator does not need to continue tracking or directing the missile after firing.

The Misagh-2 can be distinguished from the earlier Misagh-1 by the arrangement of its battery unit, which is positioned parallel to the launch tube rather than perpendicular to it. The missile carries a 1.42 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

Published technical descriptions give an engagement range of approximately 500 m to 6 km. Approaching targets are reported to be engageable at up to 6 km and receding targets at up to 5.2 km. The stated engagement altitude extends from about 10 m to 3.5 km, although target-dependent figures place the effective altitude at approximately 2.5 km against jet fighters and 3.5 km against helicopters and subsonic aircraft.

Available descriptions conflict on maximum missile speed. One gives a flight speed of approximately 600 m/s, while another claims a speed exceeding Mach 2.7 as the missile approaches its target. The system is also described as capable of operating between approximately -40 °C and +60 °C.

Operational history

The Misagh-2 has been associated with Iranian air-defence forces and has also been reported in Syria and with Libyan Government of National Accord-affiliated forces. The Libyan examples were described as probably having been supplied through Turkey.

In September 2026, Russian forces were reported to be using Misagh-2 systems in the Rostov region to intercept Ukrainian unmanned aircraft. The missile's passive infrared guidance allows firing teams to launch against an infrared-emitting target and move from the firing position without providing further guidance.

Operators

• Iran: Domestic operator of the Misagh-2.
• Syria: Reported operator.
• Russia: Reported in operational use in 2026 against Ukrainian unmanned aircraft in the Rostov region.
• Libyan Government of National Accord-affiliated forces: Reported with Misagh-2 systems, probably supplied through Turkey.

Specifications (Misagh-2)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 soldier
• Complete system weight: 18 kg in firing configuration
• Missile weight: 11.32 kg
• Missile length: approximately 1.59 m
• Warhead: 1.42 kg high-explosive fragmentation
• Guidance: passive infrared homing, fire-and-forget
• Operating temperature: approximately -40 °C to +60 °C

Performance

• Engagement range: approximately 500 m to 6 km
• Maximum range against approaching targets: approximately 6 km
• Maximum range against receding targets: approximately 5.2 km
• Engagement altitude: approximately 10 m to 3.5 km
• Effective altitude against jet fighters: approximately 2.5 km
• Effective altitude against helicopters and subsonic aircraft: approximately 3.5 km
• Speed: technical descriptions conflict, giving approximately 600 m/s or more than Mach 2.7 near the target
• Reported target types: tactical aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles

Related equipment

• Misagh-1: Earlier Iranian man-portable surface-to-air missile system and predecessor to the Misagh-2.
• Misagh-3: Later development incorporating further seeker and propulsion changes and a laser proximity fuze.
• Chinese QW family: The Misagh series is derived from Chinese missile technology, although descriptions differ on whether the closest antecedent of the Misagh-2 is the QW-1, QW-1M or QW-2.