Alwaght-Iranian Navy has successfully test-fired an anti-surface cruise missile from a Qadir-class submarine during a major military drill.
According to reports, the launch took place on Sunday and it was the first time the missile was being fired at a mock target from the depth of the sea.
The launch of the strategic cruise missile cannot be detected by enemy forces whereas there is a likelihood for the launcher submarines to be detected when firing torpedoes, which also have a comparatively shorter range, the report said.
Other submarines, such as Tareq and Fateh, also have the capability to launch the cruise missile, the report added.
The naval exercise, code-named “Velayat 97,” is being held in an area of two million square kilometers, from the Strait of Hormuz to the southeastern coasts of Makran, the Sea of Oman, and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, down to the 10-degree latitude.
In comments on Thursday, a day before the start of the naval war-games, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said the drill will be held in four separate phases, including naval parades, simulation of a real naval war, maritime and land offense to practice recapturing the territories occupied by the enemy, and the display of the Navy’s power by launching various types of missiles and torpedoes.
He also noted that the Navy will for the first time fly patrol, reconnaissance and bomber drones during the war game.
Rear Admiral Khanzadi said the submarines will also launch missiles in the exercise for the first time, noting that anti-submarine helicopters will also land on and take off from the Sahand destroyer’s deck.
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has attained self-sufficiency in producing defense equipment and increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
It has foiled several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.
