Iran starts mass production of 120,130mm mortar shells

Iran on Tuesday inaugurated the production lines of 120mm and 130 mm mortar shells, a breakthrough in the field of military hi-tech under the US and British monopoly.

“The base-build 130mm munitions are among much needed and used by the Armed Forces, which is today mass-produced completely domestically and as a result of the efforts made by our experts at the Defense Industries Organization,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said at an inauguration ceremony to mark the start of operation by the production lines of the two mortar shells.

Noting that the two mortar shells use solid fuel and can be used for desert artilleries, Vahidi reiterated that in addition to the mass-production of the munitions, the range of the mortar shells has also been increased by 30%.

Elsewhere, he referred to the capabilities of the 120mm mortar shell named as ‘Hesh’, and said it can be used in tanks and can destroy battle strongholds and targets.

“These mortar shells enjoy such a high explosive power that if they hit an area close to an armored vehicle, they will damage the inner equipments and shock the crew inside the vehicle,” Vahidi added.

Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran, to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.

Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country’s military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.

The Iranian defense ministry on Saturday inaugurated production lines of a new anti-armor missile, ‘Toufan 5’ (Hurricane), and an anti-chopper missile, ‘Qaem’, both with high penetration and destructive powers.

“The Toufan 5 missile is one of the most advanced anti-armor missiles which has two warheads and is capable of destroying armored vehicles, tanks and personnel carriers due to its high penetration power,” Vahidi said at the time.

Elsewhere, Vahidi referred to the capabilities of Qaem missiles, and said the semi-heavy guided missile can destroy targets flying at low speeds and altitudes, specially the aggressive choppers equipped with armor-like bodies.

He also boasted that Qaem missiles are not prone to enemy’s electronic warfare as they are laser-guided.