Iran launches large-scale air defense exercise

Iran has launched a large-scale air defense exercise in the country's southern regions on Monday.

Code-named "Defenders of Velayat Skies 7," the war game covers the Persian Gulf provinces of Hormozgan and Bushehr along with the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

According to the official IRNA news agency, Iran's Air Defense Commander Brig. Gen. Farzad Esmaili said that "the drill will be held for three days in an area covering 496,000 km and F-4 fighter jets and S300 defense missile systems will be test-fired during the exercise."

Participants in the drill include the air defense forces of both the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), navy support units, the army and IRGC's ground forces artillery units, Esmaili said.

The military exercise features considerable volumes of artillery and missile practices, he was quoted as saying.

During the first stage, various defensive apparatuses falling under the integrated command and control center operated jointly by the army and the airbase, including radar, missile, artillery, communication and electronic surveillance systems, were scrambled to designated positions, according to Press TV.

The exercises, which include around 17,000 military personnel members, simulate intense and large-scale electronic warfare.

Domestic and foreign planes have been cautioned stay away from the drill zone. Endit