TEHRAN, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Iran is ready to begin producing a new air defense missile system capable of destroying fighter jets and drones, the country's defense minister said Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan, the minister, said in Tehran that the system, named Talash or Struggle, has passed tests successfully, the official Fars News Agency reported.
"Talash is a mid-range and high-altitude air defense system used to confront the flying targets, including fighter jets and bombers, and is also capable of destroying different helicopters and drones," Dehqan said.
Dehqan said the system, once it is installed, will protect the country from surprise attacks.
"Now that it has had successful tests, God willing, its production line will be launched in the near future," he said.
The announcement comes as Iran is involved in talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on curbing its nuclear program.
