MOSCOW, March 9 (RIA Novosti) - Iran’s army will test-fire three new types of missiles during an upcoming military drill, a top military commander said on Saturday.
The missiles, which have undergone lab tests, will be test-fired by the end of the current Persian calendar year (ending on March 20, 2013), Ground Forces deputy chief Gen. Kiomars Heidari was quoted by Press TV as saying.
During the exercise, which will take place in central Iran, missile units “will be used in massive combat and operational tactics,” he said.
Heidari did not provide any specifications for the new missiles.
On February 10, Iran successfully tested the Fakour air-to-air missile and on December 31, 2012 the Ra’d (Thunder)surface-to-air missile, the agency said.
In July, Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced progress in the development and manufacture of an indigenous version of the advanced Russian S-300 air defense missile system.
Iranian military officials said the missile system, called Bavar (Belief) 373, is even more powerful and more advanced than the Russian S-300.
The $800-million contract to supply Iran with the missile system was signed in late 2007. Russia was to deliver five S-300PMU-1 battalions to Tehran. However, on September 22, 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree terminating the contract in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1929, which bans supply to Iran of conventional weapons including missiles and missile systems, tanks, attack helicopters, warplanes and ships.
