Iran inaugurates anti-cruise missile system

NICOSIA - The Iranian government announced on Tuesday the start of production of a missile defence system capable of destroying cruise missiles flying at low altitude.

Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi was quoted by the Fars News Agency as saying that the system called Mesbah 1 (Lantern) has high destruction power and can prevent the attacks of cruise missiles, airplanes, choppers and other air threats.

Vahidi added that the system offers rapid reaction against threats, firing up to 4,000 shots per minute, with high targeting precision. It can also intercept Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs).

He said that the system will be deployed in the near future.

Furthermore, he revealed that his ministry is working on different short-range, mid-range and long-range air-defense systems.

Earlier in September 2009, a senior Iranian commander announced that the country’s experts managed to build hi-tech missile defense systems capable of tracing and intercepting cruise missiles.

Iran has developed its own defence industry since the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88 after a United States imposed embargo on weapons sales to Tehran. Iran now produces its own tanks, armoured personnel carriers, missiles, fighter jets and other high-tech weapons. By Iaonnis Solomou (ANI)