TEHRAN -- Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi says his force is on the front line of rapid response to any threat against the country.
“The Air Force is not merely a combat unit in national defense strategy—it is the front line of rapid response to any threat,” Vahedi said. 
Vahedi highlighted the advancements of Iran’s Army Air Force over the recent decades, stating that the force can detect threats from the most distant locations and respond decisively in the shortest possible time.
He said smart drones, phased-array radars, electronic warfare (EW),

 multi-layered air defense systems are some of the equipment that Iran’s Air Force employs to maintain superiority.
Elsewhere in his remarks, General Vahedi addressed the significance of defense self-sufficiency, stating that sanctions and restrictions have proven that reliance on foreign sources is a flawed strategy.
“Today, the Air Force through the development of attack drones, aircraft maintenance and upgrades, indigenous missile production, and radar systems has demonstrated to the world that national will can overcome any obstacle,” he said. 
Iran has been depending on domestic endeavors and know-how to make significant advances in the direction of enhancing the forces’ self-sufficiency.