TEHRAN – Iran’s Armed Forces are planning to launch a large-scale military exercise featuring the country’s domestically-developed air defense systems, radars, electronic warfare devices, communication systems and an integrated air defense network.

The joint aerial maneuvers are to be attended by air defense divisions of the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), codenamed Modafe’an-e Aseman-e Velayat 1402 (Guardians of Velayat Sky 1402). 

The drills aim to serve as a warning message to any act of aggression by the country’s enemies against the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s Armed Forces regularly hold military maneuvers to elevate their preparedness and military prowess. In recent years, the experts and engineers of Iranian military forces have made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.

In October of last year, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani noted that Tehran intends to unveil a brand-new cutting-edge air defense system in the near future. The Defense Ministry has recently been successful in designing and manufacturing a number of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, including Bavar-373 (Belief-373), Khordad 15, Talaash (Endeavor), and Mersad (Ambush).

MAS