Originally Posted by Mohmar Deathstrike

How did Iran aquire Stingers?

Through Afghans in the mid 1980s (they were provided by USA)

Cool. But you'd think the Afghans would have needed all of the ones they had to splash Soviet aircraft?

I was under the impression that Stingers posed no serious threat to higher altitude planes.

Originally Posted by Rabs

I was under the impression that Stingers posed no serious threat to higher altitude planes.

I am under the same impression. But they can be lethal against helicopters and even low-flying fixed-wing aircraft.

Painting with a wide brush here.

Shoulder launched SAM's were desinged to fill in the gap between the small arms envelope and the vehicle or base mounted SAM's envelope. While traditional AAA (20+mm guns spewing a million rounds a second into the air) are pretty cool, lack the kind of mobility needed in a fast paced battlefield environment. AAA also has quite the supply train. Things like SA-7's and Stingers are highly mobile, require almost no maitenance, and cost less than a few minutes worth of AAA fire, not to mention the training aspect.

As far as Irans SA-7's being better than anyone elses, quite possible. No matter where its made, an SA-7 is still an SA-7, the difference is in the bells and whistles.

If the US or Israel wanted to strike Iran, so they would do it from high altitude, so the SA-7 won't help the Iranians much.