Iran starts mass production of anti-armor rockets: TV

TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi inaugurated on Monday a mass production line of anti-armor rockets used to destroy tanks, armored vehicles and enemy's ammunition depots, the English-language satellite Press TV reported.

The portable rocket, with a diameter of 73 millimeters, has a warhead which can destroy targets at a distance of 1,300 meters, Vahidi was quoted as saying.

The lightweight rockets with high precision and armor- penetration power are suitable for ground and tactical operations that can play an important role in destroying targets in close and distance strikes and regular and irregular wars, said the report.

Iran's Defense Ministry designs and produces weapons with the purpose of increasing the operational mobility of the armed forces, said Vahidi.

The mass production of anti-armor rockets was another proof of high capabilities of Iran's defense industry to counter threats, he added.

On Saturday, Vahidi said that the Islamic Republic was manufacturing maritime patrol aircraft.

"This product which is currently being produced by the defense industry can be widely used in the military sector and maritime patrol and we hope we can introduce it to the armed forces in the near future," Vahidi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

The aircraft is equipped with optical and radar subsystems and is capable of operating for long durations, the defense minister said.

Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled three national defense projects, including a marine cruise missile with a range of 200 km, a torpedo system fitted with 220-kg warheads and a marine engine which operates with 850 horsepower and can be used in combatant and noncombatant crafts.