At Partner 2025 in Belgrade, Iran revealed the MIAAD, a 120mm semi-active laser-guided mortar round developed by its Ministry of Defence. Superficially similar to conventional mortar ammunition, MIAAD incorporates internal laser guidance and a top-attack trajectory that together bring precision strike to standard mortar units—offering a cheaper, simpler alternative to larger precision munitions.
The system’s standout feature is plug-and-play use with existing 120mm smoothbore mortars. No specialized launchers or major modifications are required, enabling immediate adoption by frontline mortar teams. Fire preparation and handling remain unchanged, allowing forces to maintain established logistics and procedures while adding targeted precision effects.
Reported performance figures place MIAAD’s effective range between 4.5 and 8 kilometers. The round weighs about 31 kg and carries a 10.7 kg fragmentation warhead—4.1 kg of which is explosive—enabling effective engagement of light armor, bunkers, and troop concentrations. Iran claims a hit probability around 0.7, a notable figure for indirect fire munitions used by mobile or decentralized units.
From a tactical perspective, MIAAD supports salvo and coordinated fires from multiple mortars onto a single laser-illuminated target and can engage closely spaced objectives without signal conflict. Observers warn that the weapon’s low cost, simple integration, and precision capability will be attractive to proxy groups and complicate defensive planning for Western and regional militaries tracking Iranian arms proliferation.
