Global General

Iran to unveil new ballistic missiles: DM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-19 16:31

TEHRAN - Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said that his country plans to unveil a number of newly-manufactured home-made ballistic missiles next week, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Vahidi said a number of new defense products, "including some vessels, ballistic missiles and new ammunition will come into use" on May 24, said the report.

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The newly produced ballistic missiles are the product of hard work and extensive research by Iranian experts and they will be delivered to the Iranian Armed Forces in an official ceremony in the near future, he was quoted as saying.

On Wednesday, Vahidi rejected the western allegations that Iran had imported technology from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to develop its ballistic missile program, according to Fars.

"Iran is completely self-sufficient in the field of defense industry and does not need other countries," Vahidi told reporters.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast dismissed media reports that Iran and DPRK have exchanged ballistic missile technology in violation of the United Nations sanctions.

Iran's missile defense capabilities are so advanced and it does not need other countries' help, Mehmanparast said at his weekly press briefing.

According to the media reports on Saturday, a confidential UN report discloses DPRK and Iran regular exchange of ballistic missile technology in violation of UN sanctions.