Alwaght- Islamic Republic of Iran naval forces on Tuesday test-fired an indigenous long-range cruise missile named Qadir for the first time from a warship during military drills.
The missile was fired on the second and final day of annual military drills involving Iranian ground, naval, and air forces in the country's southern regions.
The exercises, codenamed Muhammad Rasoulallah SAW (Muhammad, the Prophet of God), kicked off early on Monday.
They cover an expanse of 2.2 million square kilometers in Iran’s south and southeast, the Makran Coast, and other areas in the Gulf of Oman.
During the drills Qadir cruise missile was successfully test-fired for the first time from a warship.
Qadir long-range missile has a short setup and reaction time, flies in low altitudes with high navigation capabilities, hits the targets precisely with great destructive power, and is suitable for electronic warfare. It can be launched from various types of vessels and even a helicopter thus enhancing its operational range.
The surface-to-sea version of Qadir can identify and annihilate naval targets at distances as far as 300 kilometers away from the coast.
The indigenous cruise missile was unveiled in August 2014 by President Hassan Rouhani, and was delivered to the Navy in large quantities in November 2015.
Iranian Army's Deputy Commander for Coordination, Habibollah Sayyari, said on Monday that the maneuvers were aimed at improving defense capabilities, enhancing the preparedness and morale of the servicemen, and evaluating training tactics, fire power and coordination among forces.
Iran has in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of military equipment, including air defense systems that use cutting-edge technologies which are tested during military drills.
Tehran has repeatedly stated that its military might is defensive in nature and poses no threat to other countries.
