Iran developing 23 mm Gatling gun

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

Only the barrels of the Asefeh were seen in Iranian media coverage of the new weapon system. Source: defapress.ir

Iran is working on a three-barrelled 23 mm Gatling gun to defend against cruise missiles, it was revealed on 18 November.

The Asefeh was displayed to Major General Mohammed Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), when he reviewed some of the latest innovations made by the IRGC's research and development department. The gun is reportedly capable of firing up to 900 rounds a minute.

Despite its requirement for a close in weapon system to protect its naval vessels and strategic assets from stand-off weapons, this appears to be Iran's first attempt to develop a Gatling-style rotary cannon.

Iran has instead developed an eight-barrelled version of the 23 mm Zu-23-2 light anti-aircraft gun called the Mesbah-1 to fill this role. Unveiled in May 2010, the Mesbah-1 should be able to fire more than 6,000 rounds a minute. Several can be slaved to the same fire-control system, which uses both radar and infrared systems to track targets.

Gen Jafari was also shown the Saeghe tripod-mounted remote weapon station for a 12.7 mm machine gun and a new bolt-action 7.62 mm sniper rifle called the Siavash.

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