[3] In 2010, Iran announced that it had launched the production line of a new air defense system named Mersad, which incorporates Shahin missiles.

[2][3][4] It was said that the system consisted of different target tracing and tracking radars, soft and hardware networks, launch pads for Shahin missiles and a command and control center.

Vahidi reiterated that Mersad was resistant to electronic warfare and could be used as part of a network of radar and air defense systems[4] and was fully digital.

[6] In November 2010, Iranian air force colonel Faramarz Ruh Afza said that Mersad had a limited ability to intercept ballistic missiles.

[7] That same day, the commander of Khatam al anbia base, Ahmad Miqani, said that Iran is working on the improving the Mersad with the second phase including double range and altitude.

[8][9] Iran tested the Mersad two days after Miqani's speech in an Air Defense Wargame called Defenders of the Skies of Velayat III.

[14] According to Iranian officials, the most important factors of new Mersad Phase I system are increase in range and a new advanced algorithm for guiding the missile into its target.

[16] On November 14, 2012, The Shalamcheh missile was fired from the Mersad air defense system at a Karrar (UCAV), which was destroyed, during the Defenders of the Skies of Velayat 4 drill.