Iran Triples Range of Copter Missiles
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The airborne division of Iran’s Army Ground Force has tripled the range of missiles mounted on its helicopters, a senior commander said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a military parade in Tehran on Wednesday, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari said the range of chopper-launched missiles has increased three-fold.
Such a range for the missiles mounted on Iranian choppers outstrips even those of the world’s advanced helicopters, he added.
His comments came after different units of the Iranian Army put their latest achievements on display in countrywide parades marking the National Army Day.
Earlier this week, the Army Ground Force Airborne Unit unveiled a series of homegrown equipment and achievements extending the capabilities of its helicopters, including a missile dubbed ‘Shafaq’ (Twilight), a program to equip all choppers with night-vision cameras, and a plan for arming the reconnaissance, logistical and transportation helicopters with rocket-launchers and heavy machine guns.
Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.
In comments in February 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country’s missile program.
“Without a moment of hesitation, the country must move to acquire whatever is necessary for defense, even if the whole world is opposed to it,” the Leader said.
