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On February 9, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new tactical ballistic missile, dubbed “Ra’ad-500.”

The new missile was unveiled in the capital, Tehran, in a ceremony attended by IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami and Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

According to the Mehr News Agency, Ra’ad-500 is equipped with an advanced engine, dubbed “Zohair.” The missiles’ body and the engine’s shield are both made from composite materials.

Thanks to the use of “carbon fiber” composites, the weight of Ra’ad-500 has been reduced by half in comparison with the Fateh-110 missile that has a metal body. The decrease in weight resulted in a range longer by 200 km.

A video showing a live test of Ra’a-500 was released by the IRGC. In the video, the new missile can be seen hitting its target with high accuracy.

The accuracy of Iranian-made missiles came to the spot light last month, when the IRGC carried out a large missile strike on a base hosting U.S. troops in northern Iraq in response to the assassination of its Quds Force Commander, Qassim Soleimani. The vast majority of missiles struck their designated targets.

Iran’s homegrown military industry witnessed a major boost over the last year as a result of the increasing threats by the U.S. and Israel.

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