Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran said on Wednesday to have built a submarine equipped with sonar-evading technology, saying the craft had been launched in the Persian Gulf.
The navy chief, Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, was quoted by state television as saying the new Ghadir-class submarine is the second Iranian-built underwater craft outfitted with “state-of-the-art electronic equipment.” He said it took 10 years to build.
The report showed a picture of a submarine. Iran’s two domestically built submarines can fire missiles and torpedoes simultaneously.
Iran has been pushing an arms development program in recent years in a bid to reach self-sufficiency. It has produced its own jet fighters and armored vehicles as well as radar-avoiding missiles and other high-tech weapons. On Tuesday, it announced a new long-range missile.
Iran has also three diesel-electric Russian made submarines.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the new submarine is part of Iran’s drive toward self-sufficiency in arms production, the television report said.
“Today, you have been able to design and build many of the military requirements. We have become self-sufficient from other countries,” Khamenei was quoted as telling navy commanders Wednesday.
Iranian officials have repeatedly said the Islamic Republic will defend itself should the United States or archrival Israel ever attack.
