Iran’s Air Defense Force ‘absolute power’ in region: Top commander

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force says his forces are the “absolute power” in the region, citing their self-reliance in producing military equipment and capability to export them.

Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi-Fard hailed the “technological progress” in the country’s air defense, saying that, “The powerful Islamic Republic of Iran's Air Defense Force is the absolute air defense power in the region, and this is an undeniable fact."

"The equipment that we currently use in the country’s air defense is 100% indigenous and is the most equipped and state-of the-art on the edge of global technology,” he told Iran’s Arabic-language Al-Alam news network on Wednesday.

“We are standing on our own feet and do not have any need or dependence on other countries regarding air defense equipment in the fields of detection and identification, along with engaging systems and those of information and communications technology.”

Sabahi-Fard also noted that all of the country’s air defense equipment is “indigenous” as it is manufactured by Iranian youth.

“Previously, the air defense equipment was very limited and completely dependent on foreigners. Now, we have reached a level of technological progress and knowledge in the field of producing air defense equipment that enables us to export it,” he added.

The general further said that the most advanced equipment have been stationed in the air defense zone covering the country’s southeast, including the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the islands.

Sanctions, he emphasized, have failed to hamper the achievements reached in the field of the equipment used by the Iranian Armed Forces.

‘Crushing response awaits Israel in case of any attacks’

Touching on the threats made by the Israeli regime against Iran, Sabahi-Fard warned that Iranian missiles are ready to hit the heart of the usurping entity or any country that has a greedy eye on Iran’s airspace.

The Israelis “should not even think about invading and attacking the sacred sky of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Of course, they know that if they opt to do such an action, they will face a crushing response, which will make them regret it,” he said.

Also in his interview, Sabahi-Fard said that Iran’s sky is "the safest" compared to those of regional states, noting that this fact is acknowledged by other countries as well.

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 made clear that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never open for negotiations.

ME