Iran set to unveil air defense achievements, equips army with suicide drones
By Sara Rajabova
Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili has said Iran plans to unveil a number of new air defense accomplishments in the near future, Press TV reported.
He said that the military base was working on 15 new projects, a number of which would be showcased on September 1 on the occasion of the national Air Defense Day.
A number of other projects will be unveiled on September 22 on the occasion of the Sacred Defense Week and the remaining ones will be displayed on March 18, 2014 on the national Army Day.
Esmaili went on to say that Iran's air defense was fully self-sufficient in producing the required military equipment, adding that all of the country's old systems have been upgraded and domestically-manufactured.
The commander emphasized that Iran's Armed Forces, including Khatam al-Anbiya base, are fully prepared to defend the country.
Meanwhile, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan announced that the country has equipped army units with a new type of advanced suicide drone which is capable of destroying both air and ground targets, Tasnim news agency reported.
He said that these drones have the capability to conduct suicide attacks and can hit specified targets, either air or ground targets, such as tanks and installations and it acts like a mobile bomb.
The Iranian commander also noted that the drones are capable of taking online pictures and videos and conducting other missions, including aerial reconnaissance.
Pourdastan added that Army Ground Force will test and use the new drones during upcoming military wargames.
On August 25, Pourdastan announced that Iranian Army Ground Force will stage massive wargames, dubbed as "Qamar-e bani-Hashem", in the coming months in which different units of the force, especially its airborne division, will take part.
He had also stated that the forthcoming military exercise will demonstrate the potential and capabilities of the armored units of the ground force and it can also tell how such units must be deployed in an asymmetrical situation.
Pourdastan added that Qamar-e bani-Hashem wargames will be staged in a very vast and extensive region in 3 operational zones.
Over the past years, Iran has reportedly made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
Iran has held several military drills in recent years to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.
Iran has repeatedly said its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.