Iran to unveil new defense projects soon
By Sara Rajabova
Iran will unveil the latest home-made fighter jets in the coming days, the Iranian Minister of Defense said.
"The aircraft will be different from the other fighter jets Iran has already made," Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics noted.
Generally, Iran plans to unveil the ministry's most recent achievements during Fajr anniversary ceremonies, Mehr news agency reported.
"In upcoming days and Fajr (victory of the Revolution) anniversary ceremonies, an observatory called Imam Sadeq (AS) will be unveiled, with the mission of observing outer space cargo missions of the country," Vahidi emphasized.
Vahidi noted that the newly opened space center will be engaged in observing the outer space.
Every year Iran celebrates the "Decade of Fajr" on February 1 to 11.
Speaking about other projects and achievements to be unveiled in mid February, Vahidi said Iran would launch mass-production of air-defense products.
He added that important projects are underway in missile fields and will be announced later.
Earlier in December, the Iranian Defense Minister Vahidi said that the country has achieved great success in unmanned drone manufacturing.
Vahidi noted that Iran has established an unmanned drone manufacturing line, similar to the captured RQ-170 drone, however these are being manufactured with more control and safety in mind.
Iran has also taken wide strides in designing and manufacturing different types of light, semi-heavy and heavy weapons, military tools and equipment. Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 war between Iraq and Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.