Iran Starts Major Joint Air Defense Drills

Local Editor

The Iranian Army and the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps [IRGC] started comprehensive joint air defense drills in the country's south.

Codenamed Modafean Aseman Velayat 7 [The Defenders of Velayat Skies 7], the drills kicked off early Monday on the orders of Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili, the commander of the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base.

The three-day maneuvers take place over an area measuring 496,000 square kilometers [308,000 square miles] throughout Iran's southern, southeastern, and southwestern parts, the skies above which constitute the country's most frequented ones.

The drills seek to hone coordination among the different divisions of the Armed Forces employed to defend the country's airspace. They will be held in two stages on the first day.

During the first stage, various defensive apparatuses falling under the integrated command and control center operated jointly by the Army and the Airbase, including radar, missile, artillery, communication and electronic surveillance systems, were scrambled to designated positions.

The exercises, which involve around 17,000 military personnel members, simulate intense and large-scale electronic warfare.

The Army Air Force's aircraft, including F-4 Phantoms, are also taking part in the exercises. Domestic and foreign planes have been cautioned to stay away from the drill zone.

The second stage will be held in the afternoon.

Source: Press TV, Edited by website team