Iranian govt test-fires sub-to-surface missile

TEHRAN – Iran test-fired a sub-to-surface missile in the Persian Gulf yesterday during large-scale military exercises, state-run television reported.

“The army successfully test-fired a top speed long-range sub-to-surface missile off the Persian Gulf,” the Army’s Navy commander, General Sajjad Kouchaki, said on television. A brief video clip showed the missile, fired from a submarine, exiting the water and hitting a target on the surface of the water within a kilometre.The test came as part of large-scale military exercises under way throughout the country that began on August 19.Iran has routinely held war games over the past two decades to improve its combat readiness and to test equipment including missiles, tanks and armoured personnel carriers.The test also comes amid a stand-off between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear activities.The Islamic Republic, which views the United States as a foe, is concerned about the US military presence in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan.Kouchaki said the missile, called Thaqeb or Jupitar, was built based on domestic know-how, although outside experts say much of the country’s missile technology originated from other countries such as Russia and China.”The guided missile can be fired from all vessels,” he said.Iran already is equipped with the Shahab-3 missile, which means “shooting star” in Farsi, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.An upgraded version of the ballistic missile has a range of more than 1 930 km and can reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East.Last year, former Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani said Tehran had successfully tested a solid fuel motor for the Shahab-3, which was considered a technological breakthrough for the country’s military.Solid fuel dramatically increases the accuracy of a missile while a liquid fuel missile is not very accurate in hitting targets.Nampa-APA brief video clip showed the missile, fired from a submarine, exiting the water and hitting a target on the surface of the water within a kilometre.The test came as part of large-scale military exercises under way throughout the country that began on August 19.Iran has routinely held war games over the past two decades to improve its combat readiness and to test equipment including missiles, tanks and armoured personnel carriers.The test also comes amid a stand-off between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear activities.The Islamic Republic, which views the United States as a foe, is concerned about the US military presence in neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan.Kouchaki said the missile, called Thaqeb or Jupitar, was built based on domestic know-how, although outside experts say much of the country’s missile technology originated from other countries such as Russia and China.”The guided missile can be fired from all vessels,” he said.Iran already is equipped with the Shahab-3 missile, which means “shooting star” in Farsi, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.An upgraded version of the ballistic missile has a range of more than 1 930 km and can reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East.Last year, former Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani said Tehran had successfully tested a solid fuel motor for the Shahab-3, which was considered a technological breakthrough for the country’s military.Solid fuel dramatically increases the accuracy of a missile while a liquid fuel missile is not very accurate in hitting targets.Nampa-AP