Article Posted on : - Jan 03, 2013

The new Toufan 2 (Storm 2) combat helicopter of Iran.

TEHRAN (BNS): Iran has unveiled a new combat helicopter during the just-concluded naval wargames near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Toufan 2 (Storm 2) combat chopper was showcased on Wednesday in the presence of Defence Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi who hailed the new-generation aircraft as a "symbol of creativity and self-sufficiency in the face of the enemies' sanctions", the Press TV reported.

Equipped with modern and advanced technologies, including high-precision targeting capability, Toufan 2 employs Iran's latest indigenous achievements in electronics, optics, laser and armament capabilities, the Minister said.

The new attack chopper has been developed by the Iranian Aviation Industries Organisation (IAIO), the report said.

Iran conducted a six-day annual naval drill near the Strait of Hormuz from December 28, 2012 to January 2, 2013. The drills, dubbed 'Velayat 91', covered an area from the Strait of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

During the large-scale military manoeuvres, the Navy test fired a wide range of weapons, including the Raad (Thunder) air defence system, the Qader coast-to-sea cruise missile and the Nour long-range surface-to-surface missile. The exercise also involved submarines, warships, helicopters and drone systems.

Iran has been regularly holding military exercises near the Strait of Hormuz - the transit route for one-fifth of the world's oil supply - and has repeatedly threatened to close the strait should it be attacked.