Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country will dispatch its 28th Naval Flotilla to western Indian port city of Mumbai tomorrow.Speaking in the southeastern Iranian city of Sirjan on Wednesday, Sayyari stated that the flotilla comprises Alborz destroyer, Bandar Abbas warship, Jomhouri-e Islami submarine as well as a helicopter, and seeks to further enhance interaction between the two countries and protect Irans interests.
He further noted that Iranian naval forces conducted six security missions in international waters as well as the Gulf of Aden, and engaged in exchanges of fire with pirates last month.
Sayyari stated that Iranian marines are forcefully and effectively protecting the Islamic Republics interests at sea, and that Jomhouri-e Islami warship joined the Iranian Navy fleet earlier this week.
A number of helicopters have also been overhauled and repaired, and joined maritime lines. Two missile-launching warships Neyzeh (Spear) and Tabarzin (Battle Axe) joined the Navy fleet in Bushehr. We seek more gear and equipment on all our missions, Sayyari pointed out.
On November 23, Sayyari said Irans 27th naval flotilla had returned from its 95-day mission in the high seas.
A day later, the Iranian Navy launched newly-overhauled Neyzeh and Tabarzin missile-launching warships as well as Sirjan auxiliary ship.
The navigating and radar systems of the three vessels as well as their defensive capacity have reportedly been improved.
In recent years, Irans Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
By Press TV
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