"We will present a plane on National Defence Industry Day, and people will see it fly, and the equipment designed for it,” Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Fars news agency, Reuters reported.
The Islamic Republic News Agency reported Friday that Iran would also unveil a domestic version of the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile system, dubbed Bavar 373, by March 20, 2019. Bavar 373 will become operational in the near future, as the project was reportedly progressing as scheduled according to sources.
The announcement comes amid the upcoming celebration of Iran's National Defense Industry Day on August 22 and an escalating political and economic standoff with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Reports of Iran's increased military activity appeared in early August after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) held large-scale military drills in the Persian Gulf. The drills were reportedly a part of annual exercises.
IRGC Chief Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari noted earlier the need to increase defense capabilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also reportedly conducted an anti-ship ballistic missile test last week for the first time in over a year. The missile test came days before Trump reinstated his first set of sanctions against the Islamic country.
Trump promised to ratchet up sanctions against Iran by November to target oil exports and banking after he pulled out of the JCPOA nuclear pact. Trump has claimed he can force Iran to sign a renegotiated deal that will also ban ballistic missile tests by Tehran.
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