TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is producing and testing a new generation of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, a senior Air Force Commander announced on Wednesday.


“The Iranian Air Force, in cooperation with the Defense Ministry’s Aviation Industries Organization, is producing air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles …,” Air Force Deputy Commander for Coordination Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said today, adding that some of the missiles have been successfully tested and others will be tested in the current Iranian year (ends on March 20, 2014).

The General further noted the latest advancements in electronic warfare, and said, "We have made good progress in all the 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, Iranian Deputy Defense Minister and Head of Iran’s Aerospace Organization General Mehdi Farahi announced that the country had tested its latest home-made air-to-air missile.

“The new missile dubbed as Fakour 90 is fired from F14 fighter jets,” General Farahi said.

In September 2011, Iran unveiled its 200-km range Qader anti-ship cruise missile with a high-precision striking capability and the Iranian defense industries have mass-produced the powerful missile.

The missile enjoys automatic digital pilot system, high-precision navigation systems, high-precision striking capability, anti-jamming radar systems and a rapid deployment capability.

Its coast-to-sea and surface-to-surface versions have previously been tested by Iranian armed forces and now the air-launched version of the Qader missile was unveiled by the Iranian Army during the military parades held in Tehran on the occasion of the National Army Day on July 18, 2013.

Arming Iranian aircraft and choppers with 200-km range Qader cruise missile has boosted the Iranian Armed Forces' power for combating and repelling naval threats.

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.

By Fars News Agency

 

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