AFP, TEHRAN: Iran announced Sunday it was boosting its domestic defence systems with the production launch of a new line of short-range Raad missiles to be installed in the Gulf region.
“We have inaugurated the production line for the Raad (Thunder) missiles which have undergone tests in various different circumstances,” Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani said on state television.
The missiles, which can be used shore-to-sea or ship-to-ship, have a range of 150 kilometres (about 90 miles) and will be installed on Iran's Gulf coast or islands or on warships.
“We have islands scattered in the Gulf, so we will now have plenty of defence capability in the region,” Shamkhani said. “Our ballistic missile industry has turned a page and the Islamic republic's defence capabilities have been considerably increased.”
Iran caused international concern last year when the air force of the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps took delivery of several domestically built Shahab-3 missiles, with a range of between 1,300 and 1,500 kilometres (between 800 and 1,000 miles), sufficient to reach Israel.
Shamkhani warned last month it would consider using the Shahab-3 missiles if Israel struck its nuclear facilities.
On Sunday, state radio and television also announced the start of production of radar-guidance systems for Iran's Noor missiles.
