Tasnim � Commander of Iran�s Air Defense Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili unveiled plans on Monday for an upgrade in the military capabilities of his forces in the new Iranian year, which began on March 21.

The Air Defense will do its utmost this year, like in the past, to enhance its combat and deterrent power, Brigadier General Esmaili said on Monday.

He also said there will be �good news� about advances in the Air Defense field and increased operational capabilities this year.

In comments a couple of months ago, the commander had announced that Iran�s Air Defense has such advanced gear that can detect and act against threats well before they could approach the country�s airspace.

He also made it clear that his forces rely on homegrown systems and devise strategies with an eye to contemporary threats.

In December, more than 17,000 Air Defense forces attended a large-scale military exercise, codenamed Defenders of Velayat Skies 7, in an area of 496,000 square kilometers in the country�s southern regions.