Fadavi said Bladerunner would comprise an element in Iran's defense of its territorial waters, Middle East Newsline reported. He said IRGC would launch production of dozens of fast attack vessels per year.

On Aug. 10, IRGC held a ceremony in which it acquired 12 fast attack craft. Officials said the FACs were those of an indigenous design unrelated to Bladerunner.

Bladerunner-51 weighs 16 tons, measures 14 meters and has a maximum speed of 65 knots. Officials said the vessel, powered by two 1,000-horsepower engines, would be equipped with missiles.

"The Revolutionary Guards will be equipped with many [Bladerunners]," Fadavi said.

Fadavi said serial production of Bladerunner would begin imminently. He said the first vessels would come off the assembly line by mid-2011.

The general acknowledged reports that IRGC acquired Bladerunner from South Africa. He said the U.S. Navy sought unsuccessfully to block the vessel's arrival to Iran in early 2009.

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