Speaking
to reporters during the ceremony, Vahidi said that the production
of the new artillery was aimed at increasing the mobility
of the Iranian armed forces' artillery units. He added that
the ordnance has been developed by Iranian experts at the
defense industries based on the strategy and needs of the
Iranian Armed Forces.
According
to the minister, Iran is the seventh world country which
has acquired the technical know-how for producing this type
of artillery. The minister further added that the newly
unveiled artillery enjoys a higher speed for reaction, higher
mobility, easier repair and maintenance and a lower price
than similar types of ordnance produced by Iran earlier.
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. |
