News Brief – August 25, 2010
Iran showed off an improved domestically made missile on Wednesday, the latest in a string of announcements about new military hardware that are seen as an effort to dissuade enemies from attacking.
Iran's English-language Press TV said the Fateh 110 (Conqueror) missile is nine metres (29 feet) long and weighs 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds).
The website quoted Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi as saying that the third generation Fateh 110 was a "single stage solid propellant" missile with a longer range.
He did not specify the range of the missile but Iran has previously paraded a version of Fateh 110 which it said could travel between 150 and 200 kilometres (90 to 125 miles).
Vahidi said the latest version of Fateh 110 was "more accurate" and could be deployed more rapidly
The launch of Fateh 110 follows an announcement on Friday that Iran had successfully test fired its Qiam (Rising) short range missile, which was propelled by liquid fuel.
The test firing of Fateh 110 comes two days after Iran announced it was mass-producing two high-speed variants of
missile-launching assault boats, the Seraj and Zolfaqar.
While on Sunday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled Iran's
domestically designed and built drone, capable of carrying cruise missiles or bombs and with a range of 650 miles.
Meanwhile, in other news Iran said to would be prepared to supply cutting edge armaments to Lebanon.
“Lebanon is our friend. If we receive any demand [for equipping their army], we have full potential to help them,” Fars news agency quoted General Vahidi as saying on Wednesday.
The offer comes after an exchange of fire between Israeli and Lebanese forces that left one Israeli officer and three Lebanese soldiers dead.
Following the clash U.S. officials announced a freeze in military aid to Lebanon, prompting Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to ask Iran if it would consider supplying his country with armaments.
Last updated 27/08/2010
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