Article Posted on : - Aug 23, 2012

Iranian air defence war game. Photo: FARS News Agency.

TEHRAN (BNS): Iran has started construction of its largest air defence base in the southern Iranian city of Abadeh.

Iran's Air Defence Force has allocated a credit of around $ 24.5 million to the project which is set to be built in an area of 200 hectares, a Press TV report said.

Iran also unveiled its fourth-generation Fateh 110 short-range missile at a ceremony held on Tuesday to mark the commencement of the construction project.

Media reports quoting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran's military upgrades were purely for defensive purposes and should not be taken as a threat.

The Islamic republic's super modern air defence base will have one of the most important military training centre which will comprise of seven battalions, according to a FARS news report.

Mohammad Hosseini, a deputy commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Air Defence Base said building a strong air defence was Iran's major requirement under the prevailing circumstances.

Iran's Air Defence is monitoring all military moves by foreign and aggressive powers in the region, particularly around the country's borders, the report said.

In July the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) test-fired indigenous missiles during a three-day military drill codenamed the 'Great Prophet 7.'

The tested missiles included Shahab (Meteor) 1, 2, 3, Khalij Fars (Persian Gulf), Tondar (Lightning), Fateh (Victor) and Zelzal (Quake) as well as Qiam (Uprising).