Soumar cruise missile is a surface to surface type, which according to experts, would greatly reduce the range, from 2,500 to 3,000 km, proclaimed by the Iranian authorities. This is the main difference with the Russian Kh-55, (from which it is derived), an air launch missile, designed to be used by Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers.The Iranian defense policy is based mainly on deterrence and it is practically impossible to verify the technical data of their indigenous weapons. So, certainties do not exist in practically any of their missiles, and Soumar is no exception. Several experts still doubt whether the Soumar shown in 2015, would not actually be those acquired in Ukraine.The lack of bombers in the Iranian Air Force forced the missiles to be ground launched, which forced the development of a new turbofan engine of greater power. This issue is really complicated by the intrinsic difficulty of manufacturing small-sized engines, because a very advanced technology is necessary, which Iran doubtfully has.
