Iran Military Sweep 2007-2008 Iran holds f-14 tracker aircraft exercises

"We do not intend to invade countries and we do not believe in expansionism, rather, we are to protect our revolution, develop our country and remove our problems," the general added.

Source: IRNA website, Tehran, in English 2258 gmt 10 Feb 07

Iran ends Ettehad-87 naval exercises, fires Nasr-2 surface-to-surface missile

Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website
In the final stage of Ettehad-87 [Unity-08] naval exercises Nasr-2 surface-to-surface missile was fired and destroyed its target with total success.
According to a report filed by a Fars news agency correspondent, the fourth and final stage of Ettehad-87 naval exercises was conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy in the waters of the Sea of Oman by firing Nasr-2 surface-to-surface missile. Commander Seyyed Abdolrahim Musavi, the deputy C-in-C of the Army; Commander Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the Navy; and a group of high-ranking commanders were present.
In the first phase of the fourth stage of the exercises which was conducted yesterday a Tareq-class submarine fired a torpedo at the positions of the hypothetical enemy and destroyed them.
During the second phase the Islamic Republic of Iran's marines in an operation occupied the hypothetical enemy boats and a missile boat fired Nasr-2 surface-to-surface missile and destroyed an intended target at a distance of 30 km. The Nasr-2 surface-to-surface missile which has a medium range was first fired during these [Ettehad-]87 exercises.
In the final phase of the fourth stage of Ettehad-87 naval exercises, combat boats of the Navy attacked the hypothetical enemy by firing guns and using light weapons and that ended the final phase of Ettehad-87 exercises with total success.

Source: Fars News Agency website, Tehran, in Persian 0601 gmt 7 Dec 08

Iran starts "naval parade" draws manoeuvres to a close
Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website
The great naval parade of the surface, sub-surface and aerial forces of the Iranian navy have begun in the Sea of Oman.
Fars: The last phase of the great naval manoeuvre of the armed forces, dubbed "Ettehad-87", which began on Tuesday [2 December] and was conducted inside an area span of 50 thousand square miles has begun.
Rocket launching gunboats, frigates, light submarines (Qadir class), semi-light (Qa'em) and heavy ones alongside helicopters of the navy have conducted their parades in front of their command frigate. In these manoeuvres, more than 60 different assets and vessels were tested by the navy.
In the command frigate of the Ettehad-87 manoeuvres, Deputy Joint Chief of Staff Seyyed Abdol-Rahim Musavi was present alongside Admiral Sayyari, the commander of the navy and a number of other high ranking commanders of the armed forces.
Having conducted this parade and the testing of other navy systems in this stage of the manoeuvre, the Ettehad-87 will draw to a close.

Source: Fars News Agency website, Tehran, in Persian 0903 gmt 6 Dec 08

New rocket system to allow Iranian navy to expand operations to Sea of Oman

Text of report by Iranian state-run provincial TV from Sistan-Baluchestan on 5 December
A rocket launcher system installed on the Kalat frigate of the naval forces of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran became operational on the fifth day of the Ettehad 87 [Unity 87] naval exercises in the indigo waters of the Sea of Oman this evening.
Operating the rocket launcher system on the Kalat frigate, which was a personnel carrier frigate before, this frigate joined the navy of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a rocket launcher frigate.
According to the commander of the navy of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Rear Admiral Sayyari, the rocket launcher system, which was installed on the Kalat frigate by specialists of the personnel of the Navy Force, carries long range surface-to-surface missiles that can hit targets within a range of more than 50 km.
At the inauguration ceremony of the rocket launcher system on the Kalat frigate in the third naval zone in [the port of] Chabahar, the deputy commander of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Brig-Gen Musavi, described the installation and commissioning of the surface-to-surface rocket launcher system as the success of the creative, innovative and specialized young scientists of the navy in line with the decree of the commander-in-chief [Seyyed Ali Khamene'i].
He described this day as an important day for the navy and the armed forces in achieving the aims and in meeting the needs of the navy.
He mentioned that by securing innovations in making various weapons and equipment and identifying threats facing the navy, the navy has expanded its operational area from the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz as far as the Sea of Oman.
He said that having complete intelligence and an exact understanding of enemies' threats today, the navy has very good rocket capabilities in all spheres, and the result of it is that the Iranian navy has the capability to engage the enemy in farthest areas of the sea.
He also said that having access to these facilities, along with securing the country's waters, the navy can even maintain the security of regional countries.
He said that the objective of this exercise is to use weapons and equipment made by the country's defence industry and to increase the tactical and military capability of naval units, describing it as a message of friendship and security to neighbours.
The deputy commander of the army also noted comments made by global arrogance regarding their mistakes in attacking neighbouring countries. If any county or any power wants to repeat its mistakes of the past and intends to threaten the Islamic Republic of Iran, they should know that they will face the power of the brave forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
[Presenter read report over video of the exercise]

Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sistan-Baluchestan Provincial TV, Zahedan in Persian 1630 gmt 5 Dec 08

Iran Navy to inaugurate new missile boats on 27 Nov - commander
Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website
Tehran, 23 November: The commander of Navy [Habibollah Sayyari] has said that two domestically made missile boats and a light submarine will be inaugurated.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday [as published, presumably Sunday 23 November], Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said: Two Iranian missile boats called 'Kalat' and 'Derafsh' and a light submarine will be inaugurated on 7 Azar [27 November], Navy Day.
Navy and Defence Industry Organization manufactured the boats and light submarine jointly and all procedures related to the production of the submarine were carried out domestically.
The Navy had manufactured earlier Qadir-class light submarines, Qa'em-class semi-heavy submarines as well as the missile boats called 'Peykan' and 'Jowshan'.

Source: Fars News Agency website, Tehran, in Persian 0753 gmt 23 Nov 08

Iran Navy to set up new bases along Sea of Oman - commander

Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website
Tehran, 29 October: The military's Navy commander has said: The Navy will set up new bases in different areas of the Sea of Oman in line with its plans to develop its operational units.
According to the Navy's Public Relations Office, Rear-Admiral Habibollah Sayyari paid a visit to the naval units of Hormozgan Province at the head of a high-ranking military delegation.
He said: While continuing its routine duties in the Persian Gulf and following the promulgation of a wise decree by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the Navy has started to work on its new mission, i.e. the creation of an impenetrable defence line at the opening of the Sea of Oman, with the cooperation and support of the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces HQ.
He said: Throughout the history of naval wars, the Navy has always been a source of pride, defeated the enemy, successfully carried out the unprecedented mission of escorting marine convoys, and never retreated or surrendered when faced with foreign superpowers.
Rear-Admiral Sayyari said: The Navy not only relies on the invaluable experiences it gained during the years of holy defence [reference to the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war] but also it relies on the strong backbone of zealous youth who have been trained after the revolution. The Navy definitely has sufficient knowledge, experience and equipment to carry out its new mission. Should the enemy show a lapse of sanity, we will send it to the depths of the Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman before it has a chance to enter the Persian Gulf.
The Navy commander said: In order to create an impenetrable defence line at the opening of the Sea of Oman, our surface and air forces should have a solid and widespread presence, and our sub-surface forces should display an effective presence using their new and super-advanced capabilities. Furthermore, while the modern deterrent equipment at the Second Velayat Naval Zone are being installed, the Navy will set up new bases at different points along the coast of the Sea of Oman, in Bandar Abbas and beyond it.

Source: Fars News Agency website, Tehran, in Persian 1047 gmt 29 Oct 08

Iran unveils new "semi-heavy" submarine
Text of report by state-run Iranian radio on 6 September
[Presenter] The commander of the navy has made pubic the news of the design, development and building of a submarine with a capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes. Pointing to the [inauguration of] the production line of the semi-heavy Iranian submarines known as Qa'em, Admiral Sayyari added that these subsurface vessels are equipped with advanced defence systems, powerful torpedoes and mines. It can perform all kinds of offensive and defensive operations.
Remarking that Iran is the only regional country that can produce semi-heavy submarines, the naval commander added that the building of this submarine needs sophisticated technology which cannot be developed by any country.

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, in Persian 0930 gmt 6 Sep 08

Iran builds radar-evading vessels, submarines

Text of report by state-run Iranian TV news channel on 12 August
[Presenter] Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar gave news of Iran producing radar-evading vessels and unmanned midget submarines [UUVs, unmanned underwater systems].
[Correspondent] In a gathering of reporters, the minister of defence talked about the design and production of new models of military and defence industrial achievements.
Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said that Iran was producing radar-evading vessels, unmanned, remote-controlled smart submarines, Iran-140 marine planes [as heard], 35-milimtere anti-aircraft shells, reconnaissance and in dispersible fire-control systems [Persian: Kontrol-e atash-e bedun-e enteshar].
He said that Iran's military capability has had a significant increase with the production of these equipments.
[Najjar] We are in fact a dominant power in the region with reliance on our home-grown technology and our domestic capabilities. These are our domestic capabilities. You have witnessed our exercises; they are in fact aimed at displaying the readiness, promoting our combat power and testing our home-grown equipments which are all signs of the readiness of our Armed Forces.
[Presenter] Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar also reiterated that we do not take the threats by western powers and officials seriously, because they are inserting pressures on Iran in order to materialize their illegal wishes.
Also in response to a question about any possible surprise attack against the country, he said:
[Najjar] We will never be surprised. But we will surprise the enemies if we need to. One of the prime examples of our Armed Forces military capability is the issue of surprise attack and their alertness. This is applicable to both using specific weaponry or applying various combat methods.

Source: Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0834 gmt 12 Aug 08

74 home built marine vessels delivered to Iran navy

Text of report by semi-official Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) website
In conjunction with the provincial visit of the president [Mahmud Ahmadinezhad] to the Province of Hormozgan and in presence of the Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, 74 different high speedboats and support vessels have been delivered to the naval forces by the Shahid Darvishi Naval Industries.
ISNA technological correspondent reports that all stages of design, manufacture and mass production of these vessels have been conducted by the capable personnel of the marine industries' experts of our country.
On the issue of the mission statement of the delivery policy of these kinds of vessels, Commander Najjar remarked: The sea lovers of the sciences and marine technologies in the defence ministry have, today, indigenised all kinds of vessels needed by our armed forces and they have completely broken the cycle of dependency on foreign suppliers.
Defence Minister Najjar regarded the naval might of the Islamic Republic as being owed to the highly motivated, courageous, pious naval men and the totally indigenised state of the art equipment. Explaining that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic are the biggest guardians of peace and security in the Persian Gulf, Najjar stressed: We will not allow overseas forces to jeopardise the security of the region especially the sensitive Hormuz Strait.
Pointing to the high level of capability of the marine industry personnel in designing seafaring vessels, the defence minister remarked: we are ready to supply the marine needs of the neighbouring countries and brother states on the littoral of the Persian Gulf.
The defence minister regarded interaction, solidarity, stability and unity as important factors in maintaining and consolidating peace and security in the region and added: Islamic Iran has always been at the forefront of such movement.
In his concluding remarks Commander Najjar thanked all the managers and technical experts of the Martyr Darvishi Naval Industries.

Source: ISNA website, Tehran, in Persian 0849 gmt 22 Feb 08

Iran begins manufacturing new minesweepers, military vehicles

Text of report by state-run Iranian TV channel one on 24 February
Following endeavours by Iranian experts, five new products which can be used by the defence industries have been handed over to the Defence Ministry.
[Correspondent - recording]: I would like to say a few sentences about the 750 kg tactical vehicle. First, it can easily pass through places where it's difficult for people to climb.
[Iranian Defence Minister Mohammad Mostafa Najjar - recording]: Our armed forces are following up a number of key issues. One of them is to enhance its mobility. Another is to increase its fire power. The projects which you saw today are aimed at increasing mobility.
[Correspondent]: This vehicle can be used for seven special purposes during guerrilla wars. We can't give a lot of details about them. But it's good if we hear what the defence minister has to say about the weapons which have been mounted on the tactical vehicle, which has been manufactured in Iran.
[Defence minister]: Various light and semi-heavy weapons, such as the dushka, mortar launchers and anti-armour weapons and missiles and their various launchers, can be mounted on this vehicle.
[Correspondent]: The next project is the inauguration of the production line for mobile caravans and vehicles [as heard] which have been manufactured specifically for the police. The interesting point is that this caravan can be easily moved by a car with runs on a 1300 cc engine.
These are the new generation of minesweepers. Despite the various sanctions which have been imposed on our dear country, as you can see our experts were able to manufacture various kinds of minesweepers in our country. In one sentence we can say that we broke the monopoly which exists in the world over this technology. Only Britain and Russia possess the technology for the manufacture of new generation of minesweepers.

Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 1030 gmt 24 Feb 08

V reports on progress made by Iran's defence industries
Excerpt from report by state-run Iranian TV channel one on 5 February
On the fifth day of the Ten Days of Dawn, five production lines for very sophisticated radar and electronic warfare equipment, and the first phase of a radar laboratory were inaugurated in Shiraz by the defence minister.
In addition, today the first modern site for controlling the country's operational flights was inaugurated. With the inauguration of this site, the security of the police air service flights will increase.
[Passage omitted: The former Guards Corps commander Mohsen Reza'i and former Defence minister talking about the shortage of weapons for Iranian soldiers during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq]
[Correspondent] This is the Defence Ministry's Armour Industries Factory. Our dear country's defence experts are building every kind of tank and personnel carrier that one can think of.
We are happy about the fact that currently various types of armoured personnel carriers, command headquarters, missile launchers, artillery carriers, and special personnel carriers and various tanks are being built in our own country. Remember what happened a few years ago?
[Correspondent] When can you give our people the good news that Iran will make progress in the submarine industry and will be able to build submarines itself?
[Unidentified navy officer] Yes. A lot of work has begun in the country in collaboration with universities and industrialists on projects to build submarines.
[Correspondent]: The former commander of the first naval zone didn't say when Iran would acquire this technology. However, today, Iran has acquired the technology for building various submarines with various capabilities.
[Correspondent on board one of the submarines]: We are proud of the fact that today I am entering a submarine which has been built by Iran.
Currently, the Islamic Republic of Iran's submarines are equipped with large torpedoes and smart weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been able to make a name for itself in the world in the design and manufacture of warships and gun boats.
[Navy officer]: We can. We definitely can.
[Correspondent]: This is Captain Darvish, head of the group building the Joshan missile boat.
[Captain Darvish]: This class of missile boats is one of the most successful classes of military vessels in the world. Their defence systems are built and designed in the country. I daresay that foreign fleets do not have systems similar to these.
[Correspondent]: This is the Moj warship. A cruiser whose radar and smart missile launching systems and automated targeting system has enhanced its precision and power to the extent that its impossible to evade it. The Moj will shine on Iran's border waters within the next few months.
[Correspondent pointing at a fighter jet] this is another outstanding project. The fighter-trainer jet called Simorgh [imaginary bird in Persian literature, similar to phoenix] is put in production line. Iran has also succeeded in making fighter-bomber jets. Here I am only talking about Simorgh; the enemy should remember the names Azarakhsh [Persian: thunderbolt] and Sa'egeh [lightening] from now on. They are new Iranian fighters and their fifth generation has been build by domestic technicians.
[Miqani] On the production of the Penhankar [Stealth] aircraft, I have to say that we have designed this aircraft and it is in initial manufacturing stages.
[Correspondent] This is a prototype of [Penhankar] aircraft which was carried a test flight. I have to say that in helicopter production we have became self-sufficient. The Shahed [Witness] and Tiztak [Quick fighter] helicopters are example of that.
Correspondent reports from a warfare exhibition room.
[Correspondent] Dear viewers, what you see here is the anti-armour missile system called "Tab" [Spin]. It was made by the technicians of the Defence Ministry. Its main purpose is to hunt tanks from a helicopter. The range of Tab is 4,000 meters and its accuracy is less than one centimetre.
Video of Tab being fired from helicopter and other missiles screened.
[Correspondent] After Iranian technicians became successful in producing solid missile fuel, Iran has a unique position in production of powerful and long-range, aerial, ground and naval rockets.
Interview with Minister of Defence Mohammad-Najjar, screened.
[Correspondent asking the minister] where are we? [In terms of warfare technology]
[Najjar] I have to say that before the revolution our military industry was a 100 per cent dependent [on foreign countries] and now our defence industry is totally indigenous and independent. At the start of Iran-Iraq war we were concerned that we didn't have enough RPG [rocket propelled grenades] and barbed wire. Now we are in a point that in ground, air and sea our dear colleagues in the Defence Ministry can design, research and build any warfare. This progress was made thanks to national confidence and self-belief.

Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 1030 gmt 5 Feb 08

Iran launches five military defence projects
Text of report by state-run Iranian TV channel one on 3 February
[Correction: Putting the last sentence in brackets as monitor's note. The corrected version follows:]
Five military defence project were inaugurated by Defence Minister Brig Gen Mostafa Mohammad Najjar in Esfahan province. Speaking to reporters at the inauguration ceremony, he said:
"The projects we inaugurated today include smart cameras. Our colleagues here can build a variety of smart surveillance cameras. In addition to their applications in the trenches, there are recording and still cameras that can be mounted on planes, helicopters and various other types of drones. They are entirely designed and built here.
"The gentlemen here are designing, researching and building tracking systems and fire control systems for rockets and cannon. The tracking systems and cannon fire control are for 23mm, 35mm, 100 mm and 76mm cannonballs. They work by passively searching for targets, tracking them and finally helping to direct, control and deliver the payload."
[Monitor's note: Najjar was speaking in what appeared to be a laboratory and the footage included images of some of the cameras. Video interest]

Source: Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1, Tehran, in Persian 1030 gmt 3 Feb 08

Iran TV airs detailed report on new weapons produced domestically
Text of report by state-run Iranian TV news channel on 31 January
[Reporter Darabi] Self-sufficiency in all areas, especially defence industry, is one of the most important goals of the Islamic Revolution. Today, we have achieved that goal and with the efforts of our zealous experts and researchers, our country has made great progress. The latest achievements of the defence industries, which were inaugurated on the eve of the 10-Day Dawn [1-11 February, revolution anniversary] this week, were the mass production of three new weapons at the Defence Industries Organization, affiliated to the Defence Ministry.
Eight-barrelled guns, corner guns and the hunter police guns were among the weapons whose mass production started today [29 January].