Iran Building New Submarine with Missile-Launching Capability

(FNA)- The Iranian Navy is building a new hi-tech submarine with the capability of launching missiles and torpedo.

The submarine, named Be'sat, which is now in designing stage will be 60 meters long and has the operational power for missions in the depth of 300 meters.

Iranian military experts plan to mount 6 launchers for firing torpedoes and marine cruise missiles on the new submarine and equip the subsurface vessel with mine-laying capability.

The submarine will weigh over 1,300 tons.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

Iranian Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi announced in December that the Navy forces would launch a newly optimized submarine in the near future.

"The Navy's new subsurface vessel will be ready and launched soon to enhance the Army's power," Salehi told reporters in the Southern province of Bushehr.

"The subsurface vessel has been optimized by the Army's capable forces with the help of old and new achievements and equipment," he added.

Also in December, Salehi praised the high capabilities of Iranian Navy forces and experts, underlining that the country could overhaul and build different types of surface and subsurface vessels.

"Our capabilities are growing each day and we have managed to promote and improve what we have, thanks to Iranian experts' powerful hands," Salehi said on the sidelines of a ceremony held in the Southern province of Bushehr to display the Navy's new achievements.

"In the very near future we will witness the building, renovation and innovation of surface and subsurface vessels by the Navy," he added.

Meantime, Salehi emphasized that Iran's knowledge and capabilities to build different military tools and equipment had no message to the other world nations, but peace and friendship.