"The latest drills aim at maintaining and upgrading combat preparedness
of relevant units, introducing innovation and capabilities of aircraft
defense experts and test new weapons and defense plans," the Iran Daily
said.
Officials said Iran has conducted a series of air defense exercises in
2008. But they said the latest drill was the largest and most coordinated
this year.
"Maneuvers with the participation of anti-aircraft defense systems will
be held for three days starting Monday [Sept. 8]," the official Iranian
Student News Agency said.
Iran has reported the development of a range of surface, sea and air
missiles. IRGC said its Shihab-3 missile was capable of flying 2,000
kilometers.
"The progress that has been made in developing military equipment,
weapons and long-range missiles has added to our ability to prevent an enemy
attack," IRGC deputy commander Brig. Gen. Nour Ali Shoushtari said.
The latest exercise began in wake of an Iranian announcement that it
launched a joint research satellite with China and Thailand. On Sept. 7,
Iranian Telecommunication Minister Mohammed Suleimani said Teheran developed
and launched a research satellite for disaster management. Suleimani said
the satellite was sent into orbit by a Chinese rocket.
