Article Posted on : - Sep 02, 2013

A file photo.

TEHRAN (BNS): Iran will hold a large-scale military drill in late September, a military commander has said.

The annual defence drill, dubbed "Velayat 5", would be larger than the previous edition of it which was held in eastern Iran last year, Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili was quoted as saying by the Press TV.

The country will test various long-range radars and passive defence systems during the military manoeuvres, the Commander said.

Iran regularly holds military exercises aimed at boosting its military capabilities and testing new defence systems.

The Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) had staged the "Velayat 4" wargames in November 2012 during which they had tested a new air defence system dubbed "Mersad," or Ambush and unveiled the country's first hovercraft vessel, dubbed "Tinder," or Thunder, capable of launching missiles and surveillance drones.

Iranian jet fighters, drones and about 8,000 troops had taken part in the week-long military exercise.