Article Posted on : - Aug 05, 2010

Iranian fighters. A file photo

TEHRAN (BNS): The Iranian Air Force has equipped its fighters with new radar systems that can defend the country's airspace round the clock, a senior Air Force commander has said.

The new radar systems have undergone night flight operations and “the Air Force is now prepared to defend the country’s airspace 24 hours of a day,” Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Force, General Hossein Chitforoush, was quoted as saying by FARS news agency.

The official said that the new radar systems were tested in night flight missions during the Air Force's ongoing 'Fada'eyan-e Harreem-e Vellayat' aerial exercises.

“These systems had been upgraded and optimized during the last year and we are using them now,” he added.

The Air Force's fighter aircraft have also acquired the capability to do night bombardment, General Chitforoush said.

Iran’s Air Force is presently staging the week-long 'Fada'eyan-e Harreem-e Vellayat' exercise in which many of its fighters, including the F-4, F-5 and F-7, are taking part.

The exercise concludes on August 7.