Article Posted on : - Sep 21, 2010

The launch of the Fateh-110 short-range surface-to-surface missile by Iranian armed forces on Aug. 25, 2010.

TEHRAN (AP): Iran's defence minister says the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard has received its first batch of new missiles with enhanced guidance systems to hit ground targets.

Gen. Ahmad Vahidi says the defence ministry supplied the Guard with the upgraded surface-to-surface Fateh-110 missile, which was successfully test-fired last month. The weapon was developed by Iran's Aerospace Industries Organisation.

Iran has been pushing to upgrade its missile arsenal, which already can target Israel and other parts of the region.

Vahidi says Iran will further develop the Fateh-110. He gave no details of the missile's capabilities but earlier versions could strike targets up to 120 miles (193 kilometres) away.

Vahidi's remarks were published Tuesday on the state TV's website.