Iran celebrated its national army day, staging parades and unveiling the latest in military equipment.
The parades were held in front of the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the late Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran. President Hassan Rouhani was present on the occasion.
#Iran — Iranian soldiers in full camouflage march during the Army Day parade in Tehran. Photo @BEHROUZZZZ #AFP pic.twitter.com/TDGfPNEbaM
— AFP Photo Department (@AFPphoto) April 18, 2015
Iran's Army Ground Force revealed the latest military equipment it has manufactured, including an armed remote-controlled robot and a wheeled tank.
The remote-controlled robot is equipped with four-wheel drive system and can be programmed for scouting and combat missions within an operational range of 2 kilometers.
Capable of carrying loads up to 600 kg, the robot can be armed with machine guns, air-defense or anti-armor missiles.
Iranian version of #S300 Missile shield goes on display in Army Day Parades #military pic.twitter.com/fFjw7Y9d0Z
— Kamyar Behrang (@KBehrang) April 18, 2015
Also unveiled was a 23 mm caliber sniper rifle that can hit targets within a range of 4 kilometers with anti-armor bullets. ‘Baher’ weighs 62 kg and requires 3 crew for firing.
The other sniper rifle was a modified version of "Shaher" that is equipped with a 5-round magazine.
Recently, Iranian military experts and technicians have made great progress in manufacturing a wide range of local equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.
Rouhani says Iran’s military strategy purely defensive #military http://t.co/JflYM84c5i pic.twitter.com/CLDbRFb7DR
— WW3blog.com (@WW3blog) April 18, 2015
Iran has made it clear that its military poses no threat to the regional countries, and that the manufacturing of arms is entirely based on defense.
