Iranian Army plans to unveil optimized version of its home-made main battle tank Zolfaqar 0302132.

In January, Pourdastan had announced that the tank's fire control system and stabilizer have been optimized.

He said at the time that the new version of Zolfaqar has gone under comparison with one of the most advanced battle tanks manufactured by the Eastern powers and has shown increasingly higher capabilities.

Iran will start mass-production of the tank after the approval of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Army Ground Force Commander said.

Yesterday, Iran unveiled a new home-made fighter jet, named Qaher 313.

The advanced Iranian aircraft was unveiled in a special ceremony attended by President Ahmadinejad.

Iran has also taken wide strides in designing and manufacturing different types of light, semi-heavy and heavy weapons, military tools and equipment. 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.