Iran Tests New Fakour 90 Air-to-Air Missile

Iranian Deputy Defense Minister and Head of Iran's Aerospace Organization General Mehdi Farahi announced on Sunday that the country had tested its latest home-made air-to-air missile last week.

"The new missile dubbed as Fakour 90 is fired from F14 fighter jets," General Farahi said.

Meantime, he noted that Qader and Nasr air-based cruise missiles will be tested in coming days.

Last week, a senior Iranian military commander announced that the Iranian Armed Forces plan to unveil its latest achievements in the production of armored vehicles, missiles and aircraft in the next few days.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazzayeri said new achievements will be unveiled during the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies from January 31 to February 10, celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution back in 1979.

"In addition to new home-made fighter jets, new missile advancements will be displayed in coming days," Jazzayeri mentioned, adding that the new missiles produced by Iranian experts have different ranges.

"During the Ten-Day Dawn new tanks and armored vehicles will also be unveiled," he added.

Elsewhere, the commander stressed the Iranian Armed Forces' capability to chase and hit enemies in long distances, adding that Iran will announce its capabilities in due time.

Last month, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced that his ministry would display several defense achievements in the next few days.

The minister informed that a space observing base or space observatory, dubbed as 'Imam Sadeq', will be inaugurated during the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies, adding that the base will be tasked with monitoring the country's expeditionary space missions.

The Iranian minister further announced that Iran would unveil the latest home-made fighter jets in the coming days, and said, "The aircraft will be different from the other fighter jets Iran has already made."

He added that important projects are underway in missile fields and will be announced later.

Iran has also taken wide strides in designing and manufacturing different types of light, semi-heavy and heavy weapons, military tools and equipment. Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.

Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.


Source: TEHRAN (FNA) News - 10 February 2013

Photo: The Iranian Air Force F-14A Tomcat Fires New Fakour 90 Air-to-Air Missile (Photo by ISNA)


(10.02.2013)