TEHRAN -- Iran army units on Tuesday unveiled a broad range of advanced gear such as homegrown missiles, tanks, armored vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, radar systems and air defense missile systems to mark the National Army Day.
Four divisions of the army, namely the ground force, the navy, the air force, and the air defense, held military parades here in the presence of President Ebrahim Raisi.
Among the major achievements put on display during the parade was Mohajer-6 drone, which is capable of carrying guided bombs and sophisticated surveillance equipment. It has already been used in combat by the Iranian armed forces.
Iran’s first wide-body unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Kaman 22, was also unveiled, along with Iranian suicide drones such as Arash, Kian and Karrar, which could be flown from both ground and offshore launchers.
Kaman 22 is said to have a range of approximately 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) and can carry 300 kilograms of explosives.
Qader (Capable) medium-range anti-ship cruise missile, laser-guided air-to-ground Sattar missile, Fakour-90 (Thoughtful-90) air-to-air missile, Qaem surface-to-air missile, and Shafagh precision-guided missile, which has a range of 20 kilometers, were displayed as well.
The army’s air defense division unveiled several domestically-developed missile systems, including Damavand strategic and long-range system used for downing various aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, Nasser 40 navigation assistant radar system, Majid short-range and low-altitude air defense system, Nawab medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, Mersad mid-range air defense system, Khordad 15 surface-to-air missile system, and Talaash (Endeavor) long-range mobile surface-to-air missile system.
The army also put on display Kian 600, Kian 700 and Kian 800 super heavy tank transporters, Zulfiqar and Tiam main battle tanks, Seraj artillery system which is equipped with a 35-millimeter cannon and uses both a radar and a new optical system to detect and destroy small flying objects, Matla’ al-Fajr VHF 3D radar, Kavosh precision approach radar, and 900-kilogram Qased (Messenger) smart bomb.
President Raisi warned that Iran will destroy Haifa and Tel Aviv if Israel takes “the slightest action” against it.
“The enemies, especially the Zionist regime, have received the message that the slightest move against the country will evoke a severe response from the armed forces resulting in the destruction of Haifa and Tel Aviv,” he said.
“The extra-regional and American forces should leave the region as soon as possible because it is in their own interest and in the interest of the region,” the president said.
“The presence of foreign forces threatens regional security but our armed forces provide security wherever they are present in the region,” he added.
He said the Iranian armed forces have fought terrorists and improved security in the region, while foreign forces have only threatened the regional states.
“It is no secret to anyone that our armed forces have protected the territorial integrity and security of the countries in the region.”
Raisi said Iran’s army is “well equipped and up-to-date” and that it “sees itself as a servant by the side of the people.” He said Iran’s skies are among the most secure in the region.
The president, who also serves as head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), stressed that the National Army Day conveys the