Hizballah Rockets - Surface to Surface
Katyusha rockets
Reporters and analysts use the name Katyusha to refer to most of Hezbollah's unguided rockets fired from MRL multiple rocket launchers. The Soviet Union used Katyusha rockets during World War II, which were 82 mm and 132 mm rockets. Hezbollah uses several Katyusha models, which usually have a range of 4 to 40 km, and a 10 to 20 kg, high-explosive warhead. The 122 mm "9M22 Grad" type is one of the most common types of Katyushas today. It was originally installed on the Soviet BM-21 MRL missile, and has a range of about 20 km, while carrying a 6 kg high explosive charge or submunitions, both of which scatter anti-personnel fragments. The missile can be launched from simple tripod launchers, or from MRL launchers mounted on trucks, and is usually accurate. Katyusha rockets make up the majority of Hezbollah's missile force. It is estimated that Hezbollah possessed between 7,000 and 8,000 Katyusha rockets, caliber 107 mm and 122 mm, in 2006, a number that subsequently increased. Iran is the main supplier of Katyusha missiles to Hezbollah. The missiles' short flight time and low flight path make their use difficult, in addition to their ineffectiveness against higher-level missile defenses such as Patriot.
"Fajr-1" missiles
China developed 107 mm artillery rockets in the 1960s for the Type 63 multiple rocket launcher, and China sold the 107 mm rockets to Syria, from where they arrived in Iran. Iran then worked to develop local versions of the missile, renaming it “Fajr-1.” Reports stated that Iran initially provided Hezbollah with approximately 144 Fajr-1 missile launchers and an unknown number of missiles. The range of these missiles ranges from 8 to 10 kilometers, and they use an 8-kg high-explosive warhead. The missiles can be launched manually from the ground or launched through the designated launchers obtained from Iran. The launcher carries 12 rounds in 3 rows of four cells.
Falaq missiles
The Falaq missile is a family of unguided surface-to-surface artillery missiles developed by Iran in the 1990s. The Falaq-1 missile has a range of between 10 and 11 kilometers, and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 50 kilograms. The length of the missile is 1.32 meters, its body diameter is 240 mm, and the total launch weight is 111 kg. The Falaq-2 missile also has a range of between 10 and 11 kilometers, but it carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 120 kilograms. The length of the missile is 1.82 meters, its body diameter is 333 mm, and its launch weight is 255 kg. The Falaq-1 and Falaq-2 missiles operate on solid fuel and can be launched from trucks or boats.
On August 25, 2005, Hezbollah mistakenly fired a “Falaq-1” missile at Israel, and subsequent salvos of “Falaq” missiles followed during the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
Shaheen missiles
"Shaheen-1" is an unguided heavy artillery missile developed by Iran. It has a range of 13 kilometers and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 190 kilograms. The length of the missile is 2.9 meters, its body diameter is 333 mm, and its launch weight is 384 kg.
Rocket "81"
Cluster munition rockets mostly fall under the Katyusha umbrella. It is not known how Hezbollah obtained a Model 81 122 mm missile. Hezbollah launched approximately 118 Type 81 missiles during the 2006 Lebanon War. The version of the 81 rocket owned by Hezbollah has an enhanced range and is 122 mm in caliber, and therefore may fall under the broader Katyusha classification. The missile has a range of 20.5 kilometers and is equipped with a high-explosive warhead. It carries 39 MZD-2 or Type-90 submunitions. The standard 122 mm missile is 1,927 meters long and weighs 45.3 kg.
"Fajr-3" and "Fajr-5" missiles
An Israeli military report in 2011 estimated that Hezbollah had a stockpile of several hundred Fajr-3 and Fajr-5 projectiles, and Iranian Air Force officers made frequent visits to Lebanon to train Hezbollah fighters in aiming and firing these missile systems. The Fajr 3 missile has a range of 43 kilometers and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 45 kilograms. The length of the missile is 5.2 meters, its body diameter is 240 mm, and its launch weight is 407 kilograms. The Fajr 5 missile has a range of 75 kilometers, and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 90 kilograms. The length of the missile is 6,485 m, its body diameter is 333 mm, and its launch weight is 915 kg. The mobile Fajr 5 launchers used in 2006 carried up to four missiles each.
Raad missile
These artillery missiles were designed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s for the BM-27 "Uragan" MRL multiple rocket launcher. Hezbollah renamed it “Raad-2” and “Raad-3”. These missiles have a range of 60-70 kilometers and are equipped with a high-explosive warhead. It weighs 50 kg and is filled with 6 mm anti-personnel steel balls. The missiles are about 4.8 meters long and weigh 280 kilograms. The Soviet Union sold Uragan missiles and their launch systems to Syria, which then transferred a number of these missiles to Hezbollah in the early 2000s. Hezbollah successfully fired a Raad missile at Israel for the first time on July 16, 2006, 4 days after the Second Lebanon War.
Khaybar missile
"Khaybar-1" is an unguided artillery missile that was developed and manufactured in Syria. Reports indicate that "Khaybar-1" relies heavily on the Chinese Wei Shi1 system. The Khaybar-1 missile has a range of up to 100 kilometers, and carries a payload of up to 150 kilograms. Khaybar missiles are usually equipped with large anti-personnel warheads. The length of the missile is 6.3 m, its body diameter is 0.302 m, and the launch weight is about 750 kg. The missile launcher features two layers, each consisting of three launch tubes. The Khaybar-1 missile is considered unguided, but it is more accurate than most local Hezbollah and Hamas missiles. It can be stored more easily due to its increased durability. The Khaybar-1 missile was launched for the first time by Hezbollah on July 28, 2006.
Zelzal 1 and 2 missile
The Zelzal is an Iranian version of the Soviet FROG 7 ballistic missile, and has a much higher range and payload than the Katyusha and Fajr missiles, providing the group with the ability to target deeper into Israel. The Zelzal-1 missile has a range of between 125 and 160 kilometers, and carries a 600-kg high-explosive warhead. The length of the missile is 8,325 meters, its body diameter is 610 mm, and the launch weight is 2,950 kg. The Zelzal-2 missile has a range of 210 kilometers, and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 600 kilograms. The solid-fueled missile shares the same length and diameter with its predecessor, but its launch weight increases by 3,400 kg.
Iran began delivering Zelzal 1 and 2 missiles through Syria to Hezbollah in the early 2000s. Zelzal missiles are somewhat inaccurate, requiring a large TEL launcher and carrier vehicle, with a large target signature. Israeli officials said the missile's large payload makes it a serious threat. Hezbollah's Zelzal missiles were not used during the 2006 war, due to Iranian influence that sought to prevent further escalation, or Israeli air power that could easily hit larger targets such as an earthquake.
Fateh 110 missile
The Fateh-110 is an Iranian short-range ballistic missile that can be carried on roads. It is most likely a modified version of the unguided Zelzal-2 missile, with added control and guidance systems. The range of Fateh 110 missiles ranges between 250 and 300 kilometers, making them among the longest-range weapons in Hezbollah's inventory. The missile carries a high-explosive warhead weighing 450-500 kg and is guided by GPS, giving it a range of up to 500 km. Reports stated that Iran supplied Hezbollah with Fateh 110 missiles around November 2014. Hezbollah is believed to possess hundreds of these missiles.
Scud missiles
Reports indicated that Syria transferred an unknown number of Scud type B, C, and D missiles to Hezbollah. In 2010, former Israeli President Shimon Peres directly accused Syria of transferring Scud missiles to Hezbollah. Neither Israel nor the United States has provided any evidence that Hezbollah possesses or has possessed Scud missiles. Reports also conflict as to whether Hezbollah is capable of launching Scud missiles without foreign assistance.
Scud missiles are usually viewed as impractical weapons for Hezbollah's war doctrine. Analysts confirmed that the Scud missiles are very large when transported, are difficult to hide and manipulate, and require 45 minutes of preparation, and do not provide Hezbollah with a significant advantage compared to the Fateh 110 missiles. The range of Scud missiles ranges between 300-550 kilometers while carrying a payload ranging between 600-985 kilograms.
Fadi
Hezbollah announced that it used Fadi 1 and 2 missiles in its military operation targeting northern occupied Palestine on 22 September 2024. the Lebanese news network Al-Mayadeen reported that these rockets originated from one of the Imad (ie, "underground") facilities, many of which remain unscathed by the enemy’s aerial assaults. This network of bases reportedly hosts multiple rocket launchers and Hezbollah forces, as revealed in a video showcasing the Imad 4 base. The sources have reportedly confirmed that the rockets fired at the Ramat David Airbase were launched from these complexes.
Despite their new names, these are not new rockets. Hezbollah named this class of missiles "Fadi" after Fadi Hassan Tawil. The Lebanese Hezbollah introduced new missiles into the confrontation with Israel, including the "Fadi-1" and "Fadi-2" missiles, as part of its initial response to the assassination of a group of its prominent military leaders in an Israeli air strike that targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, and the bombings of wireless communication devices. They are named after “Fadi Hassan Tawil” who was leader in the party who was martyred during the battles against Israel on May 30, 1987. Martyr Fadi Hassan Tawil was born on 10/5/1969 in West Beirut, originally from the southern town of Khirbet Selem, in a religious and modest family. In his childhood, he witnessed the Lebanese civil war, and studied elementary school at Al-Maqasid School in Ras Al-Nabaa, and middle school at Khirbet Selem Official School.
He completed his fourth year of religious studies at Khirbet Selem Seminary, and committed himself before reaching the age of puberty. He also performed Hajj in 1985, and was honored to visit Imam Reza (peace be upon him) in 1985. He was dutiful to his parents, beloved by his relatives and neighbors. He was known for his high spirituality and asceticism in this world. He joined the ranks of the Islamic Resistance in 1982, and underwent several military and cultural courses. He also participated in several jihadist and qualitative missions, ranging from surveillance, reconnaissance, and ambush operations deep inside the occupied strip.
He was martyred on 5/30/1987 with a group of Mujahideen, as part of the series of major Badr operations. His pure body remained on the battlefield for eight days. He was escorted in a grand procession, in which many residents of the villages neighboring Khirbet Silm participated, and he was buried in the cemetery of his town on 6/8/1987. Fadi Tawil was also the brother of prominent Hezbollah commander Wissam Tawil, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on his car in southern Lebanon in January 2024.
On 22 September 2024 the war media of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah published an identification card explaining the features of the "Fadi 1" and "Fadi 2" missiles, which Hezbollah used at dawn today during its targeting of the "Ramat David" base and airport, and the "Rafael" company for Israeli military industries, in northern occupied Palestine . The two videos published by Hezbollah stated that the “Fadi 1” and “Fadi 2” missiles are tactical surface-to-surface missiles used in area-based – non-point – bombing.
The video indicated that the “Fadi 1” missile is used in intensive bombing to confuse defense systems, and it can be launched from fixed and mobile sites. The missile is also used to disrupt supply lines and target bases far from the front lines. The Fadi 1 missile has an 83 kg warhead, is 220 mm in caliber, is 6 meters long, and has a range of about 70 km. Hezbollah’s war media revealed that the Fadi 1 missile entered service in 2006 during the July War. It is used in intensive bombing to confuse defensive systems. It can also be launched from mobile or fixed positions, and is used to disrupt supply lines and target bases far from the front lines. The Fadi 1 is based on the Syrian-made M-220 rockets, a local Syrian variant of the Soviet 9M27 rocket, which is used in the Uragan multiple launch rocket system (MLRS).
In another video published by Hezbollah, it was stated that the “Fadi 2” missile carries a highly explosive warhead, which makes it effective against fortified sites, whether infrastructure or large gatherings of enemy forces. The Fadi 2 missile has a 170 kg warhead, is 302 mm in caliber, is 6 meters long, and has a range of about 100 km. Hezbollah’s war media revealed that the Fadi 2 missile entered service in 2006 during the July War. The Fadi 2 is essentially a Syrian M-302 rocket, also known as Kheibar-1, which is a local Syrian variant of the Chinese WS-1 rocket. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah targetted the Israeli "Eliakim" camp 24 Septembe 2024, south of Haifa, with "Fadi 2" missiles, after it bombed "Kiryat Shmona" and the logistical stores of the 146th Division in the "Naftali" base with various missile salvos.
Lebanon's Hezbollah announced on 24 September 2024 that it had used, for the first time, the long-range "Fadi 3" missile targeting an Israeli military base. Hezbollah said in a statement that the Islamic Resistance bombed the Israeli Samson base (a command center and regional equipment unit) with "Fadi 3" missiles. Following Hezbollah's introduction of "Fadi 3" missiles into the battle, the Israeli army announced a heightened state of readiness in the north in anticipation of intense missile barrages.
Khaibar-1
On 28 July 2006 Hizballah fired what it called Khaibar-1 rockets at the northern Israeli town of Afula. Seven of the rockets hit outside Afula without causing injuries. The attack came two days after Sheik Hassan Nasrallah had stated that Hizballah would fire rockets at targets beyond Haifa. In a message, aired by Lebanon's al-Manar and Iran's al-Alam networks on Wednesday 26 July 2006, Nasrollah made it clear that in response to Zionist atrocities Hezbollah combatants will launch missile attacks against cities in Occupied Palestine well beyond the port city of Haifa and will fight the Zionist invasion of south Lebanon. The rocket was probably a renamed Fadjr-5, marking the first time Hizballah had launched the Iranian-made weapon with a 75-km range. If fired from the Lebanese border, it could hit the northern outskirts of Tel Aviv.
By naming their rocket Khaibar, Hizballah retains a connection to the Iranian Fadjr [dawn] nomenclature. In one Hadith, [Bukhari Vol. 5, Bk 59, No. 512] Anas narrated: "The Prophet offered the Fadjr Prayer near Khaibar when it was still dark and then said, "Allahu-Akbar Then the inhabitants of Khaibar came out running on the roads. The Prophet had their warriors killed, their offspring and woman taken as captives. Safiya was amongst the captives, She first came in the share of Dahya Alkali but later on she belonged to the Prophet ... " [as one of his wives.]
By naming their rocket Khaibar, Hizballah reminds Muslims that they can fight outnumbered against the Jews and win. "Khaibar" means: "fortified place". Modern Khaibar is one of seven Counties in Saudi Arabia, located to the Northeast of Medina. The rocket was named after the famed battle between Islam's prophet Muhammad and Jewish tribes in the Arabian peninsula. When Amrozi bin Nurhasin, the Bali bomber, entered the courtroom on the day of his sentencing, he shouted "Jews, remember Khaibar. The army of Muhammad is coming back to defeat you." The valley surrounding Khaibar was considered one of the most fertile of the desert oases and its gardens of date palms were jealously guarded by the Jewish tribes whose territory it was. The Jews of Khaibar were considered the bravest warriors, and they posed a most powerful challenge to the supremacy of Islam. In 628 Khaibar was subdued by the Prophet Mohammed - 1,400 Muslims overcame some 10,000 Jews.
By naming their rocket Khaibar, Hizballah reminds Muslims that the victory at Khaibar established the institutions of the Islamic State for the Muslim conquest of non-Muslim peoples. After the victory of Muslims at Khaibar, the Jews were allowed to survive on the payment of special taxes. Under Islamic law, Kharaj [land tax] must be imposed of all lands conquered by force and not to be divided among the army but left to the original owners or allocated to non-Muslim settlers. Kharaj was first introduced after the battle of Khaibar, when the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) allowed Jews of Khaiber to return to their lands on condition that they paid half of the produce as Kharaj. Jizyah [compensation] was a poll-tax levied on those who did not accept Islam, but lived under the protection of Islam, and were thus tacitly willing to submit to the ideals being enforced in the Muslim State. Since Christian and Jews were exempted from military service under the Islamic state, the Islamic state guaranteed their security in exchange of payment of Jizyah. Thus the dhimmi [the protected ones] evolved.
By naming their rocket Khaibar, Hizballah reminds Shia of the origins of their schism with the Sunni. The Shia are the Shiat Ali -- the party of Ali. The Shia Imamate began with Ali, who is also accepted by Sunni Muslims as the fourth of the "rightly guided caliphs" to succeed the Prophet. Shias revere Ali as the First Imam, and his descendants, beginning with his sons Hasan and Husayn, continue the line of the Imams until the twelfth. At Khaibar the Messenger of Allah handed over his banner to Imam Ali, and thus designated him as the man whom Allah and His Prophet loved. He directed him to lead the assault and to fight until the Jews submitted. Abul Fida says the following in his book of history: (Tarikhu 'l-mukhtasar fi Akhbari 'l-basha): " ... the Prophet said, "By Allah, tomorrow I will give the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah and His Messenger love, one who is constant in onslaught and does not flee, one who will stand firm and will not return till victory is achieved."" Ali fought till Allah granted him a clear victory.
Various Hadith [Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 2, pp. 93-94, on the authority of Abu Hurairah and Ibn Abbas, in similar wordings; al-Nisa'i, Khasa'is Ali bin Abi Talib. 1st ed., (Beirut: 1975), p. 9ff; al-Isabah, al-Isti'ab, HiIyat al-Awlya', and in Muslim's Sahih, in similar wordings] attest the following: "Ali, had I not been afraid that the Muslims would start regarding you as the Christians regard Jesus, I would have said things about you which would have made the Muslims venerate you and to consider the dust of your feet as something worth venerating; but it will suffice to say that you are from me and I am from you; you will inherit me and I will inherit you; you are to me what Aaron was to Moses; you will fight for my causes, you will be nearest to me on the Day of Judgement; you will be next to me at the Fountain of Kawthar; enmity against you is enmity against me; a war against you is a war against me; your friendship is my friendship; to be at peace with you is to be at peace with me; your flesh is my flesh; your blood is my blood; who obeys you obeys me; truth is on your tongue, in your heart and in your mind. You have as much faith in Allah as I have. You are a door to me. As per the order of Allah, I give you these tidings that your friends will be rewarded in Heaven and your enemies are doomed for Hell."
