Iran manufactures maritime patrol aircraft

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Saturday that the Islamic Republic is manufacturing maritime patrol aircraft, the local satellite Press TV reported. "This product which is currently being produced by the defense industry can be widely used in the military sector and maritime patrol and we hope we can introduce it to the armed forces in the near future," Vahidi was quoted as saying. The aircraft is equipped with optical and radar subsystems and is capable of operating for long durations, the defense minister said. On Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has unveiled three national defense projects, including a marine cruise missile with a range of 200 km, a torpedo system fitted with 220-kg warheads and a marine engine which operates with 850 horsepower and can be used in combatant and noncombatant crafts.