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Iran showcases Russian S-300 defense system in parade

Xinhua, April 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran showcased parts of the newly imported Russian S-300 air defense system in the parade on Sunday held to mark the army day in the country.

Iran needs a powerful army to defend its geographical frontiers, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said addressing the celebration.

"The powerful army inspired by religious and Islamic insights safeguards the interests of the country and defends the geographical, political and cultural borders of the country," Rouhani said.

He hailed the achievements and "might" of the Armed Forces, saying that "if, today, the arrogant powers and the their mercenaries in the region dare not to threat the country and the nation, that is because of the might of the Armed Forces," he said.

Strong army and efficient diplomacy are, side by side, the means to defend the interests of the Iranian nation, he added.

The powerful Iranian army belongs to the Islamic world and will assist any Islamic state in the face of threats and terrorism if they ask for help, he stressed.

Different units of Iranian army staged parades in Friday ceremony to show the latest Iranian military achievements.

A host of missiles and missile launchers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, choppers and radar systems were among the military equipment showcased at the ceremony.

Also, Iran displayed parts of Russian S-300 which have been sent to the country recently.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said on Monday that Iran and Russia had signed a new deal on the delivery of S-300 missile defense system and it was in the process of implementation.

Russia and Iran signed an 800-million-U.S. dollar contract in 2007, according to which Moscow would supply Tehran with five S-300 missile systems.

In September 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev canceled the contract in line with a UN Security Council resolution, which banned such deals with the Islamic Republic. Iran later sued Russia over the arms embargo.

In April 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban as Iran withdrew the lawsuit against Russia.

The original S-300 system, named SA-10 Grumble by NATO, was first deployed in the former Soviet Union in 1979 to defend the country against aircraft and cruise missiles.

Subsequent modernized versions were developed to intercept ballistic missiles, and the S-300 is currently regarded as one of the most potent air defense systems. Enditem