‘Iran military subs 90% indigenized’

According to IRIB, Amir Babaei, Deputy Head of Iran Defense Ministry’s Marine Industries Organization, said on Monday that the organization is responsible for meeting the requirements of the Iranian Navy, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval fleets, and the naval forces of the Iranian police.
He said indigenization of vessels is a main objective followed by the organization under his authority, saying it has received the order for manufacturing Iran’s first research vessel.
Babaei said “Initially supposed to be ordered to overseas, this vessel has been indigenized and will be launched by the end of the current Iranian calendar year [ends on March 20, 2013] and will be delivered to the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in the first half of the next year.”
The official’s announcement coincides with the Iranian Navy’s maneuvers, which began on December 28, to display the country’s capabilities in defending its maritime borders.
Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defensive capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.