Iran to unveil new military achievements in days

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced that the country plans to unveil several achievements in the field of defense in the next few days. Vahidi said new achievements in defense, aerospace and missile fields will be unveiled during the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies from February 1 to 11, celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution back in 1979. "Some of these key achievements have been mass produced and will be delivered to the Armed Forces as soon as they are unveiled to the public," Vahidi said. The minister further noted that these achievements will once again prove the ineffectiveness of the sanctions imposed on Tehran by the West. In December 2011, Vahidi unveiled 20 important projects in energy, nanotechnology, microelectronic, optic, laser, missile and naval fields. Earlier this month, Vahidi announced that the country plans to unveil a home-made sea patrol aircraft within the next few weeks. Vahidi said that the new aircraft is equipped with optical and radar subsystems and is capable of operating for long distances and can be used in maritime reconnaissance patrolling. 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.