• Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani delivering a speech at an unveiling ceremony for new missile systems Arman and Azarakhsh. EPA
    Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani delivering a speech at an unveiling ceremony for new missile systems Arman and Azarakhsh. EPA
  • He was part of the unveiling event showcasing the two domestically made missile systems at an undisclosed location in Iran. EPA
    He was part of the unveiling event showcasing the two domestically made missile systems at an undisclosed location in Iran. EPA
  • Azarakhsh is a low-altitude air defence system. EPA
    Azarakhsh is a low-altitude air defence system. EPA
  • The Arman missile system 'can simultaneously confront six targets at a distance of 120km to 180km', Irna news outlet reported. AFP
    The Arman missile system 'can simultaneously confront six targets at a distance of 120km to 180km', Irna news outlet reported. AFP
  • A Sayad-3 missile on show during the unveiling of the Arman defence system. AFP
    A Sayad-3 missile on show during the unveiling of the Arman defence system. AFP
  • The unveiling event comes at a time of growing regional tension linked to the war in Gaza and Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. AFP
    The unveiling event comes at a time of growing regional tension linked to the war in Gaza and Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. AFP

MENA

Iran

Iran displays home-grown air-defence systems amid regional tension

Arman is an anti-ballistic missile system, while Azarakhsh is a low-altitude air defence system

The National

February 17, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest from Israel-Gaza

Iran unveiled new military hardware on Saturday, including the locally made Arman anti-ballistic missile system and the Azarakhsh low-altitude air defence system.

The two vehicle-mounted systems were announced in the presence of Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, the official IRNA news agency reported.

It comes amid growing regional tension linked to the war in Gaza and attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“With the entry of new systems into the country's defence network, the air defence capability of the Islamic Republic of Iran will increase significantly,” IRNA said.

It said the Arman missile system “can simultaneously confront six targets at a distance of 120km to 180km”.

Meanwhile the Azarakhsh missile system “can identify and destroy targets up to a range of 50km with four ready-to-fire missiles”.

In June 2023, Iran presented what officials described as its first domestically made hypersonic ballistic missile, named Fattah, with a range of 1,400km.

The latest show of military strength from Iran came after the US Central Command said on Thursday that it seized a weapons shipment from Iran last month, which had been destined for Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on vessels linked to the US, UK and Israel in the Red Sea in a show of solidarity with the Hamas militant group in Gaza.

Gaza has been under military assault by Israel since Hamas's attacks on Israel's south on October 7.

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Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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