Majid (AD-08)

An Iranian mobile short-range air-defense system that uses electro-optical tracking and passive imaging-infrared missiles to engage low-altitude aerial threats.

Overview

Majid, also identified by the AD-08 designation applied to its interceptor, is an Iranian short-range surface-to-air missile system intended for point defense against small uncrewed aircraft, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, helicopters and low-flying aircraft. Its baseline configuration combines an electro-optical and thermal tracking turret with passive imaging-infrared missiles, allowing an engagement without continuous radar emissions or a conventional radar-lock warning, according to Army Recognition and Defence Blog.

The system is associated with Iran's Defence Industries Organization and the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. Early launchers carried two missiles on an Aras-2 4x4 vehicle, while subsequent versions use four canisters on either the Aras-2 or an Iveco Daily chassis. Majid can operate autonomously through its optical sensor or accept external cueing, including from the Kashef-99 radar and Borhan command-and-control network. A launcher-mounted search-radar configuration subsequently appeared in Iranian and Armenian service.

Iran has also adapted the missile for carriage by the jet-powered Karrar uncrewed aircraft. Armenia publicly displayed the ground system as Karitch, or Scorpion, in May 2026, becoming the first known foreign operator. Published Iranian performance claims and reported combat successes remain only partly verifiable.

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