Islamic Iran to mass-produce cruise missile

Iran has launched a mass-production line of the domestically-built Qader marine cruise missile to supply the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces and the country’s Navy.

The Qader (Able) marine cruise missile, which was unveiled by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on August 23 on the occasion of the national Defense Industries Day, has been mass-produced “as quickly as possible time,” Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told reporters on Wednesday.

He dismissed ‘the false and malicious claims’ by certain Western media purporting that Qader is not a domestically-manufactured missile and said such allegations are aimed at downplaying the country’s ‘great achievements.’

General Vahidi added that the mass-production of the missile bears witness to the high capabilities of Iranian experts who endeavor to meet the defense needs of the country’s armed forces.

With its range of 200 kilometers, the Qader missile has been produced in light of Iran’s self-sufficiency, deterrence and military prowess.

The sea-launched cruise missile has high destructive power and can destroy targets including frigates, warships as well as enemy’s coastal targets.

Cruising at a low height with high precision in target acquisition are two other features of the relatively lightweight missile.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

Iran has repeatedly assured that its military might poses no threat to other countries, saying its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.