Iran to strengthen its missile capacity: defense minister

EghtesadOnline: The Iranian defense minister emphasized that the strengthening of Iran's defensive power is still a priority and the defense ministry is using all its capacity to move forward in this area.

News ID: ۷۴۳۵۸۵

30 August 2017

“The most important principle of Iran's defensive doctrine is all-out defense with the active deterrent approach and if an enemy dares to attack Iran, all components of the country's power will come to aid the defense,” Iranian minister of defense, General Amir Hatami said.

Highlighting the Ministry’s agenda for focusing more on air defense, Hatami added that initial preparations have gone underway for his predicted program for establishing a strategic air defense during his four-year term, ISNA reported.

Hatami hailed the signing of the S-300 missile defense systems during President Rouhani’s first term in office, adding “the S-300 systems have been installed on all our designated zones and are currently active in defending the country’s airspace. All sensitive and critical areas of the country are fully covered by these systems”.

Hatami described the country’s air defense capabilities to be in “good condition”, adding “the 3rd of Khordad missile shields, Mersad, Sayyad, 3-300 and other systems are actively participating in a united defense of the country’s airspace”.

About the Iranian-made Bavar-373 air defense missile system, he said “as a long-range mobile air defense system, Bavar-373 will be soon made available to the Armed Forces. The system is advancing according to plan and has had over 85 per cent progress”.

He also added that Bavar-373 is more up-to-date than the S-300 system.

The defense minister also stressed resolve for lending support to the Resistance Movement in order to establish a secure and stable region against foreign interventions.