Iran set to launch extensive air exercises as region heats up
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Iran's Air Defense chief says units from most of the army's combat divisions will take part in the exercise dubbed Defenders of Velayat Skies 1402, kicking off on Thursday.
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Domestically manufactured drones in an undisclosed underground base in Iran revealed in 2022 (Iranian media)
Tens of fighter jets and UAVs will conduct attacks on targets during exercises set to be carried out jointly by different divisions of the Iranian Armed Forces, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base – the central headquarters of Iran’s Air Defense - said on Thursday.
In a press conference, Brigadier General Qader Rahimzadeh told reporters that the fifth edition of the Defenders of Velayat Skies 1402 drills will kick off later on Thursday.
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The war games will see the participation of units from Iran's Air Defense, Air Force, Army's Navy, Ground Forces, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, and IRGC Navy forces.
Rahimzadeh pointed out that the exercise will be held under the command of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base in an integrated and fully coordinated air defense command and control network.
The drills will cover large areas in Iran's southern regions from Abadan in the southwest to Chabahar in the southeast, in addition to territorial waters in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the General said.
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He noted that while the aircraft will move to hit predesignated targets, air defense systems will try to intercept them and take countermeasures against the threats.
During a ceremony revealing enhanced renditions of the Karrar drones last year, Chief Commander of the Iranian Army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, stated that the additions to Iran's Air Defense Force upgraded its strength.
“The Army meets its own needs through the cooperation of its scientists with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, and knowledge-based companies. This is because strengthening the defense power across land, sea, and air borders is an inseparable principle of the Army."
Mousavi then addressed Iran's enemies, advising them to reconsider their aerial combat strategies as Iran possesses the upper hand in the field. “Enemies oppose Iran's power… Experience has proven that our power drives the enemy to despair."
