Iranian Army to Unveil Optimized Home-Made Tanks Tomorrow

The Iranian army plans to unveil optimized versions of the home-made tanks in a special ceremony due to be held tomorrow.

The army will display an optimized version of Zolfaqar and Samsam tanks on the occasion of the Ten-Day Dawn ceremonies, celebrating the victory of the Islamic Revolution back in 1979.

Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan and a number of other high-ranking military officials will attend the ceremony.

In January, Pourdastan had announced that the tank’s fire control system and stabilizer have been optimized.

He said at the time that the new version of Zolfaqar has gone under comparison with one of the most advanced battle tanks manufactured by the Eastern powers and has shown increasingly higher capabilities.

Iran will start mass-production of the tank after the approval of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Army Ground Force Commander said.

Yesterday, Iran unveiled a new home-made fighter jet, named Qaher 313.

The advanced Iranian aircraft was unveiled in a special ceremony attended by President Ahmadinejad.

Iran has also taken wide strides in designing and manufacturing different types of light, semi-heavy and heavy weapons, military tools and equipment. 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.