TEHRAN, June 9 (UPI) -- Buffeted by international sanctions, Iran's indigenous armaments industry is about to launch a new-generation, diesel-powered submarine.
Iranian Navy Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Seyed Mahmoud Moussavi stated, "The new submarines, built by the committed Iranian experts, will join the naval combat fleet," the Fars news agency reported Thursday.
The upcoming sea trials will test new submarines' capabilities. Adding out an offer of cooperation to neighboring Persian Gulf countries, Moussavi added that the Iranian navy is prepared to have joint drills with interested neighbors.
In the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution the United States, Iran's primary arms supplier under the administration of Shah Reza Pahlavi, imposed sanctions. Iran began an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for the U.S. weapons embargo.
Beginning in 1992 Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Iran's Defense Ministry's Marine Industries is constructing the Ghadir-class submarines.
