Iran hosts opening of Dehlavieh anti-armor missile production firm

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 7 /Trend S.Isayev, D. Khatinoglu/ A ceremony dedicated to opening of Dehlavieh anti-armor missile production firm in Iran has been hosted, Mehr reported. The opening ceremony was hosted with presence of country's Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi. During the ceremony, Vahidi said that once ready, the missiles will be delivered to Iran's IRGC and country's National Army in order to improve defensive capabilities against heavy attacks. Vahidi noted that the missiles can be used for destroying tanks, as well as can be used against low-flying helicopters and ships. Last month, Iran opened Dehlavieh anti-armor missile production firm, where Vahidi unveiled his Ministry's plan to mass produce new generation of anti-armor weapons in the near future. Addressing a group of his personnel in a ceremony commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of former defense minister Mostafa Chamran, Vahidi said the new anti-armor system will be named after "Dehlavieh", the area where Chamran was martyred. Last August, the Iranian Defense Ministry started mass-production of 73-mm anti-armor rockets capable of piercing and destroying armored vehicles from a 1,300-meter distance. 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. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az