Iran Starts Mass Production of Highly Advanced Missiles
News number: 881117127915:19 | 2010-02-06Defence
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8811171279

TEHRAN (FNA)- 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," Iranian Defense
Minister Ahmad Vahidi said at the inauguration ceremony.

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.

"Once these advanced weapons are mass produced and delivered to the Armed
Forces, Iran's defense power in ground and air combats will be
reinvigorated," Vahidi said.

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.