TEHRAN -- Iran’s defense minister said Wednesday there has been a significant increase in production and export of defense equipment despite harsh economic sanctions on the country.
“Production and export of defense equipment … have seen a three- and five-fold increase [respectively] compared to last year,” Brigadier General Muhammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said. There has been “considerable growth” in all aspects of the defense ministry, he said, adding that the ministry has been putting efforts to meet the growing requirements of the country’s armed forces.