Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani says the country’s export of military products and services has been tripled over the past 33 months.

Ashtiani made the remarks in an address to a cabinet session on Sunday as he elaborated on the defense achievements of the late President Ebrahim Raeisi’s administration over the past three years.

In most performance indicators, he said, the country witnessed an “enormous increase” in the 33-month period.

He added that Iran’s production of weapons and defense equipment and systems as well as rendering services to the Armed Forces have been increased by 2.5 times.

The defense chief noted that the successful launch of Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier, simultaneous putting of three satellites into orbit, the launch of “Zoljanah” research satellite carrier, the launch of “Saman” orbital transmission system with a sub-orbital space probe, the design and manufacturing of Khorramshahr 4 and Abu Mahdi missiles and acquiring the capability of pinpointing missile products are among the country’s defense and military achievements.

He said the manufacturing of Khordad 15 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, the successful test of the domestically-manufactured Mersad and Arman defense systems, the design and manufacturing of Mohajer 10 strategic drone, the successful flight test of Simorgh transport aircraft for the first time, the successful flight test of Yasin training jet aircraft and completion and launch of Dana destroyer are among other Iran’s defense accomplishments.

Ashtiani added that the development of detection and identification systems and hitting low-altitude targets and cruise missiles were among other measures carried out by Iran’s Defense Ministry.

Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities.

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