Iran Displays Latest UAV, Missile Products in Thursday Parades

September 22nd, 2011 MDAA

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces displayed the latest generation of Shahab missiles, pilotless drones and electronic war systems in the military parades on Thursday.

The parades mark the start of the Week of Sacred Defense, commemorating Iranian sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in the 1980s.

Each year, the Iranian Armed Forces display the country’s latest military achievements and products in nationwide parades on September 22.

During the parades, different classes of Shahab missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and various types of electronic warfare systems were displayed.

Iran has recently made good progress in the air industry and has succeeded in gaining the technical know-how for producing stealth aircraft and drones.

Iran successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAV with bombing capabilities in June 2009. Also in 2008, the country’s Defense Industries launched production lines of two well-known home-made fighter jets, namely Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh (Lightening).

Sejjil missiles, considered as the third generation of Iran-made long-range missiles, were displayed during the parades at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, in Southern Tehran.

The solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil missile with two engines, is capable of reaching a very high altitude and therefore has a longer range than that of the Shahab 3 model.

The missile has boosted the Islamic republic of Iran’s defense capabilities.

During the parades Shahab 1, 2 and 3, Qadr, Sahab and Zelzal missiles were also displayed.

The liquid-fuel Shahab 3 missile has a range of up to 1,250 miles (2000 kilometers) and is capable of carrying a 1,000-760 kilogram warhead.

The Iranian Army also displayed an upgraded version of the Zolfaqar battle tanks during the parades.

Zolfaqar is a second generation of Iran’s main battle tank (MBT). The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997.

The Zolfaqar-1 uses a fire control system which enjoys a ‘fire-on-the-move’ technology. The Zolfaqar mounts a laser-warning pod on the turret. Its design enables the tank to use an Iranian-made package of reactive armor.

Zolfaqar-2 is a prototype tank used as a test bed. The Zolfaqar-3 also features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun, with a 125mm autoloader.

During the parades, the Iranian armed forces displayed different weapons and military tools and equipment, including different kinds of fighters, helicopters, drones, ground-to-ground missiles, air-to-ground missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, tactical and armed vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electronic and telecommunication equipment, light and mid-light weapons, different kinds of artillery and mortar-launchers, air defense systems and engineering and logistic equipment.

On Sunday, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi also informed that the country would display its latest military achievements and products in nationwide parades on September 22.

“The latest achievements of the Defense Ministry which have been supplied to the Armed Forces recently will be displayed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Islamic Republic Army during the September 22 parades,” Vahidi said during a visit to a defense industry plant on Sunday.

“These achievements” he said “are the latest missile, air, electronic and telecommunications, armored, naval and anti-air tools, weapons and equipments produced in the country.”

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.

The country stages several air, land and sea wargames each year to test its newly produced weapons and equipments.

SOURCE: Fars News Agency