Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iranian Army has held a massive military exercises with the purpose of countering possible enemy missile attacks.

Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said on October 20 that the five-day Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat 5 (Defenders of the Velayat Skies 5) drill covered an area of 700,000 square kilometers, Press TV reported..

Esmaili said some 12,000 members of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Republic of Iran Guard Corps (IRGC) took part in the operations, which started on October 9.

The maneuvers were staged in the northwestern, western, central, southwestern and southern parts of the country.

Esmaili said that the maneuver succeeded in achieving all its predetermined objectives.

Iran has held several major defense drills in recent months amid threats made and accusations leveled against the country's peaceful nuclear energy program by the US and its allies.

Tehran assures that the maneuvers are defensive in nature and meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to regional countries.

Import of S300

Esmaili also said that Iran and Russia are negotiating to boost their ties in the fields of anti-aircraft warfare and radar systems.

He said thatcIran seeks to import S300 or some similar missile systems which are completely defensive.

Besides, Iran strengthens its military sector with developing new technologies and systems.

Executive Deputy Head of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base Gen. Shahrokh Shahram said that the Iranian army has achieved a deflection technology of Laser Weapon System (LAWS), Tasnim news agency reported.

Shahram said laser weapons can be easily diverted from target, adding that Iranian army owns such a technology.

He also went on to note that Iran is able to manufacture laser cannons.

Iran has recently stated that it has reached self-sufficiency in essential military hardware and defense systems.

The Iranian army recently test-fired different types of newly-developed missiles and torpedoes and tested a large number of its domestic weapons, tools and equipment, including submarines, military ships, artillery, choppers, aircraft, UAVs and air defense and electronic systems during massive military drills.

Iran has repeatedly stated that its military might poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.