Taking a wide step in designing military equipment, the Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled a domestically manufactured smart laser-guided
 projectile, named the Basir, during a ceremony held on Monday ahead of the Ten-Day Dawn celebrations (February 1-11) marking the anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"This ammunition is guided by laser and has been designed and manufactured by Defense Industries Organization’s capable and competent experts for the first time in the country," Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said during the ceremony.

"The Projectile was an intelligent munition with the capability to identify its own targets and hit moving targets with high accuracy," Vahidi explained, adding that Iran is among the only five world countries which possess the capability to manufacture these types of munitions.

New home-made satellite carrier rockets, smart ammunition, aeronautic products, as well as new electronic and telecommunication devices will be unveiled, Vahidi added.

Vahidi also announced the production of new a reconnaissance aircraft and cruise missile, as well as other domestically manufactured weapons and electronic equipment which would soon be implemented by Iranian forces.

Iran has long had to rely on domestically produced weapons since the United States smacked a weapons embargo on the country after the Islamic revolution. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.

According to Russia Today, with western pressure mounting over Iran’s uranium enrichment program, the ability to be self-sufficient in the production of precision-guided weaponry is of paramount concern to the Iranian military.

 

Sources: Russia Today, Associated Press, Tehran Times, Fars News Agency, Mehr News Agency