IRGC Navy introduces new high-explosive, undetectable cruise missiles
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The IRGC highlights that the new missiles have capabilities, including highly explosive warheads and stealth features that make them undetectable.
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In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on Sunday, December 24, 2023, a missile system is displayed in an unveiling ceremony at a naval base near the Indian Ocean in the southern Iranian port of Konarak, some 850 miles (1,400 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Tehran, Iran. (Iranian Army via AP)
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that its navy has put into service high-explosive, undetectable anti-ship cruise missiles.
"In today’s world you either have to be powerful to survive, or surrender. There’s no middle ground," stressed IRGC Commander Major-General Hossein Salami, emphasizing the importance of engaging enemies from "zero distance to great depths."
"We have defined engagement from zero distance to great depths, meaning we must have the capability to engage with the enemy at the lines and points of contact. The sea lacks a fixed battle line," Salami stated.
He explained that the process of bolstering Iran's defensive capabilities is rooted in a strategic vision inspired by Divine revelation and the guidance of the leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyed Ali Khamenei, which is essential for ensuring Iran's strength and survival in a global system dominated by imperial powers.
In this context, he maintained that it is "up to the nations to choose whether to become strong and live freely and independently, liberating themselves from the dominance of global hegemonic powers, or to choose the path of compromise, submission, and subservience."
In a statement, the IRGC confirmed that "a large number of cruise missiles have been added to the Guards’ Navy fleet."
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"These new missiles have capabilities of highly explosive warheads and stealth features that make them undetectable coupled with the ability to cause extensive damage and sink their targets," the statement highlighted.
The IRGC Navy also stated that different types of long and medium-range missile systems, as well as reconnaissance drones and naval radars, have been added to its fleet.
It underscored that "these systems are among the most up-to-date anti-surface and sub-surface weapons in the IRGC's navy."
Highlighting Iran's strategic position and its role in global affairs, Salami described the sea as a critical arena for defending the country's interests.
"The sea is a vast expanse where all military powers are present without boundaries, and it is the meeting point of all powers," he pointed out, stressing the importance of naval warfare and indicating that Iran must be capable of engaging the enemy in the depths of the seas and oceans to prevent conflicts at its national borders.
The IRGC commander also emphasized the complexity of naval warfare, which requires a harmonious combination of human resources, technology, and strategic awareness.
Salami highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in naval operations, particularly in precision targeting and minimizing human casualties.
"The smarter the systems, the better the choice of route and target," he concluded, reaffirming the IRGC's commitment to enhancing Iran's maritime defense capabilities.
State television showcased several of the weapons, with the IRGC Navy noting that only 210 of the 2,654 systems were revealed due to security concerns preventing the display of other strategic assets.
It is noteworthy that the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence estimates that Iran has the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the region.
The report recently published by Bloomberg highlighted that Iran is believed to possess a substantial stockpile of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as inexpensive drones, which it used in mid-April in its retaliation against the Israeli aggression that targeted its consulate in Damascus.
The revelation coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East as Iran had vowed to respond to the Israeli assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Read more: 'Israel' has no capacity nor strength to face Iran: Acting FM
