News   /   Defense

Iran’s Navy cruise missiles successfully hit targets during drill

An Iranian Navy vessel fires cruise missiles during the Eqtedar-e Daryayi (Naval Strength) 99 exercise in the Sea of Oman on January 14, 2020.

Iranian Navy cruise missiles, fired from the seashore and vessels during the second day of a large-scale military drill, have successfully hit mock targets in the North Indian Ocean and the defined exercise area.

The operation took place on Thursday during the final stage of the Navy’s massive military drill in the Sea of Oman, codenamed Eqtedar-e Daryayi (Naval Strength) 99.

Deputy Navy Commander for Coordination Rear Admiral Hamzeh-Ali Kaviani, the spokesman for the maneuver, said that Iran had a very high capability in the field of cruise missiles, and that the Navy was in possession of a wide range of them.

“The high impact power of cruise missiles with various ranges available to the Navy has made them effective weaponry in naval battles,” he said.

The commander said information about some of the weapons and systems used in the exercise was classified and had not been publicly disclosed.

“The enemies should know that in the event of any violation and encroachment on the maritime borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, they will be targeted with cruise missiles from the coast and the sea,” Kaviani warned.

Additionally during the drill, the domestically-made Fateh (Conqueror) submarine for the first time fired torpedoes that struck their targets, the commander said.

Drones, he added, were also used on different reconnaissance and combat missions during the exercise.

On the first day of the maneuver, Iran inaugurated its largest military vessel -- the Makran helicopter carrier. The Navy took delivery of Makran, a logistics ship designed to support the Navy’s missions in farther waters, such as the northern part of the Indian Ocean, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea.

Surface-to-surface cruise missiles and torpedoes were also fired from domestically-developed submarines during the war games, while aircraft, coastal and seaborne operational units practiced special tasks.

Last week, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) unveiled a strategic “underground missile city” along its southern Persian Gulf coast, which the force said was one of “many” such missile installations.

Iran’s army also conducted its first-ever drone drill early this month, during which hundreds of domestically-manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intercepted and destroyed mock enemy targets.

The military exercises come amid heightened tensions with the United States days before hawkish President Donald Trump is set to leave office.

Over the past two months, the Trump administration has flown nuclear-capable strategic bombers to the Middle East and deployed a navy aircraft carrier to the region.

 


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku