TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Navy's Ghadir midget submarine returned home from its first mission in the Northern Indian Ocean and berthed at Southern port city of Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday.Upon arrival, Ghadir was welcomed back home in a ceremony attended by Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari in Bandar Abbas on Wednesday.
Ghadir was accompanying Iran's naval fleet that participated in joint drills with Pakistan in the Northern waters of the Indian Ocean last week. According to the two countries' military officials, the joint exercises were aimed at promoting military cooperation between the Iranian and Pakistani navies.
The Iranian naval fleet present in the exercises comprised of Falakhon (Sling) and Khanjar (Dagger) missile frigates, Hendijan and Deylam replenishment ships as well as a Ghadir midget submarine.
During the daylong drills, the Iranian and Pakistani naval forces rehearsed different types of military and tactical formations of vessels and submarines.
In recent years, Irans Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for trade vessels and tankers.The Islamic Republic has repeatedly asserted that its overseas naval presence is meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to other countries.
Iranian officials and commanders have repeatedly underlined that all military exercises and trainings of the Iranian Armed Forces are merely meant to serve deterrent purposes.
By Fars News Agency
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