ZCZC
BFF-25
IRAN-DEFENCE
Iran announces new fighter jet
TEHRAN, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Iran will unveil this week a new jet
fighter and upgrade its missile defences to meet threats from Israel and the
US, Tasnim news agency said Sunday quoting the defence minister.
“Our first priority is our missile capability and we must enhance it…
given the enemy’s efforts in missile defence,” said Amir Hatami in an
interview on television late Saturday, according to Tasnim.
He added that a new fighter jet “will fly on National Defence Industry
Day”, which falls on Wednesday.
Hatami said the defence programme was motivated by memories of the missile
attacks Iran suffered during its eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, and
by repeated threats from Israel and the United States that “all options are
on the table” in dealing with the Islamic republic.
“We have learned in the (Iran-Iraq) war that we cannot rely on anyone but
ourselves. We saw that wherever we are not capable, no one will have mercy on
us,” he said.
“Our resources are limited and we are committed to establishing security at
a minimum cost.
“We upgrade our missiles according to our enemies’ threats and actions, as
a deterrent and to give a crushing response to the enemy,” he added.
Hatami added that regional rival Saudi Arabia “has the largest military
budget in the world after America and China… while our defence budget is
limited”.
“What would any nation with such a situation and past do in our place?” he
said.
The defence minister dismissed the idea of an “Arab NATO” — an old concept
that has recently resurfaced as Washington tries to push regional countries
to accept a greater share of their defence.
“Arab NATO is part of the game of creating discord by the enemy and it’s
not worth paying attention to,” said Hatami.
“It is unlikely that America and the Zionist regime (Israel) allow Muslim
countries to come together. They know well that the aim of Muslim nations is
to destroy the Zionist regime and defend Palestine,” he added.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1350 hrs