Tabnak – Despite being under increasing pressures and strict sanctions imposed by the West for almost four decades, Iran has tried hard to continue the development of advanced technologies in both military and non-military spheres. In this vein, Iranian military industry has unveiled new homegrown missiles and other types of defensive technologies.
According to the Iranian media, Iran’s Armed Forces have unveiled new military hardware, including drones and missiles, during an exhibition ahead of the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The achievements were displayed during Eqtedar 40 Exhibition at Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds in Tehran, Fars news agency reported on Wednesday.
The drones unveiled included the country’s newest one, Kaman-12. The aircraft can fly at 200 kilometers per hour for 10 straight hours. It can use an airstrip as short as 400 meters and covers a 1,000-kilometer combat radius. The UAV weighs 450 kilograms and can carry a payload as heavy as 100 kilograms.
Among the other drones were a renovated Shahed-129, which is capable of carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations using bombs and missiles. It can carry four Sadid smart bombs and can be guided using optical, laser, or infrared equipment. The UAV is capable of flying as far as 2,000 kilometers for 24 hours, refueling only once.
The Akhgar missile, which was also featured at the expo, is the latest projectile manufactured for deployment on Iranian drones. The 1.7-meter-long, television-guided missile has a range of 30 kilometers and can fly at a speed of 600 kilometers per hour.
Qassed-3, which had so far only been showcased during military parades, was put on display at the event. It can be deployed on fighter jets. It is 5.15 meters in length, can carry a 453-kilogram warhead, and has a range of 100 kilometers. It has a microjet engine, which enables it to be fired at a speed of 600 kilometers per hour toward targets, and is guided using a seeker head.
Moreover, Shahin is an anti-missile projectile, which can be fitted onto Air Force fighter planes. It was showcased at the exhibition for the first time. The missile can be used to jam radars and enemy’s electronic equipment.
In this vein, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri highlighted the country’s self-sufficiency in the military sphere and said the Islamic Republic is prepared to mass produce and export individual weapons.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the exhibition of defense achievements of the country’s Armed Forces, Major General Baqeri said more than 500 products in 11 military fields have been showcased at the expo.
Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.
