Commander Views Iranian Army as Most Prepared Force in Region

February 08, 2012 FNA - worldwide-defence

TEHRAN (FNA) - A senior Iranian commander lauded the readiness of the country's Armed Forces for defending Iran, and stressed that the Islamic Republic Army is the most prepared force in the region.

"Today, Islamic Republic of Iran's Army as the most prepared army of the region is turning out to be one of the military poles in the world," General Heshmatollah Malekian said, addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the Air Force Day in Iran's Northwestern city of Orumiyeh on Wednesday. He also said the country would defend the nation and the Islamic establishment whole heartedly. Last week, Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi underlined the Army's preparedness to defend the Islamic Revolution, the country's territorial integrity and its religious leadership against the bullying powers. In a message on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Salehi underlined that the Army's Navy, Air Force, Ground Force and Air Defense Unit will give a crushing response to any possible aggression against the country. He pointed to Iran's growing achievements in modern space, medical and military technologies, and said that Iran's eye-catching progress has frightened the enemies. 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 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes. Yet, 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.