Article Posted on : - May 03, 2010

A file photo.

TEHRAN (BNS): Iran has produced a short-range air-defense system that can target cruise missiles, its Defence Minister has claimed.

“Experts at the Defense Ministry have succeeded in manufacturing a short-range air-defense artillery system that can fire 4,000 rounds per minute,” Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi told Fars news agency on Sunday.

The new weapon has been designed to target low flying objects like cruise missiles, the minister said, adding Iran plans to induct the system in its defense forces in near future.

Vahidi said his ministry is also working on short-range, medium-range and long-range air-defense systems.

The Islamic Republic had last month announced the development of a new, advanced anti-aircraft system 'Mersad' that could hit modern aircraft flying at low and medium altitude.