Iran navy: Its subsurface capabilities enhanced

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Tuesday that the country has experienced a leap in the expansion of its subsurface capabilities recently, semi-official Fars news agency reported. "Iran's subsurface power has been enhanced to a remarkable degree in recent months," said Sayyari, adding that "Our surface and subsurface tactics, which used to be inspired by foreign tactics, have now become fully indigenized." "We have the capability to manufacture different types of submarines and we have shown this by building Ghadir submarines and overhauling heavy submarines," he was quoted as saying. The Ghadir-class submarine was first unveiled in 2007. The 120- ton vessel has shallow-depth performance and can conduct prolonged coastal missions. In September, Iran's Navy announced that it launched the overhauled super-heavy Tareq 901 submarine which had been repaired by Iranian experts. On Tuesday, Sayyari said that Iranian army will start a naval drill in the country's southern waters on Friday, according to Fars. The six-day drill, to be held in Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, will cover an area of one million square km, Sayyari was quoted as saying. In the drill dubbed Velayat 91, or Guardianship 91, defensive and missile systems, combat vessels and submarines will be tested, said the commander, adding that naval exercises to confront the enemy's threats and to enhance the battle preparedness are among the aims of the drill.