Iran manufacturing new air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles
By Sara Rajabova
Iran is manufacturing a new domestically designed advanced fighter jet, the deputy commander of the Iranian Air Force Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh announced, Tehran Times reported.
Nasirzadeh said that the new achievement would help eliminate the need to purchase fighter jets from other countries.
He also noted that Iran was designing and manufacturing new air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, adding that some of the missiles have been successfully tested and others would be tested during the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21.
Nasirzadeh further noted that Iran has made good progress in all various dimensions of electronic warfare, including offensive and defensive areas.
He reiterated that a major part of the achievements made in the area of electronic warfare have been the result of "the innovative moves of the country's elites".
In February 2013, Iran unveiled a new domestically manufactured fighter jet, named the Qaher 313 (Dominant 313).
The Qaher 313 was designed and manufactured by experts at the Aviation Industries Organization of the Defense Ministry.
The "indigenous" fighter plane is made of advanced components and is able to avoid radar detection and fly at low altitudes.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Gholam Reza Khadem Biqam said the navy is becoming equipped with more advanced and smarter torpedoes.
Biqam torpedos which have been used in different wargames, including surface and subsurface torpedoes, are smart and enjoy hi-tech. Yet upgrading them to become even smarter is on the Navy's agenda.
Iranian torpedos, launched by submarines are able to operate under different weather conditions, in both deep and shallow waters and are equipped with an advanced safety and arm system.
The aircraft, which enjoys high offensive capability, is able to carry advanced weapons and take off from and land on short runways.
The Iranian Navy conducted a series of wargames in the country's Southern waters in December to test its capabilities in defending Iran's water borders and regional interests.
In recent years, the Defense Ministry has made significant achievements in the field of aerospace technology.
Iran unveiled its first domestically manufactured fighter jet, called the Azarakhsh (Lightning), in 2007. The Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter plane was a follow-up aircraft derived from the Azarakhsh. Iran unveiled its first squadron of Saeqeh fighter jets in an air show in September 2010.