Iran to launch indigenous submarine in November: Navy cmdr.

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country plans the launch of an indigenously-manufactured submarine in the near future.

“Fateh (Conqueror) submarine will be launched during the first ten days of [the Persian month of] Azar [starts on November 22],” Sayyari said on Monday.

He noted that Iran acquired the technology for building submarines two decades ago, adding that the country is already manufacturing Ghadir submarines.

Fateh weighs nearly 500 tons and is Iran’s newest semi-heavy submarine.

Sayyari also stated that Iran has been making headway in the development of destroyers, adding, “We have to acknowledge that manufacturing destroyers is no small task, particularly a destroyer equipped with state-of-the-art technology.”

The Iranian Navy launched its first domestically-built destroyer, Jamaran, in the waters of the Persian Gulf in February 2010.

The country is also planning to unveil a new destroyer in the near future. The destroyer dubbed Damavand is undergoing tests and will officially join the Iranian naval fleet this year.

The 1,420-ton destroyer is equipped with modern radar systems and other electronic warfare capabilities with a top speed of up to 30 knots and a helipad.

In recent years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

Iran says its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.