DAR AL ISLAM - IRAN: AN IRANIAN MADE "DESTROYER" TO BE LAUNCHED SOON BY IRAN

Iranian navy to launch destroyer

TEHRAN: Iran's navy plans to launch the first Iranian-built destroyer soon, the official Irna news agency quoted a naval commander as saying yesterday.

The announcement in the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas comes at a time of growing tension between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington and others suspect is a cover for making atom bombs. Tehran denies the charge.

"Soon the first Iranian-made destroyer will be launched ...and will surprise the world's military community with its facilities, equipment, capabilities and technology," commander Darioush Ebrahimnejad said.

He called it one of the most modern ships of its kind in the world, but did not give details or say when it would be officially unveiled. Destroyers are fast warships with guns and torpedoes used to protect other ships.

Last month, state television said Iran's navy had held more than a week of war games in the Gulf using tactical submarines and small vessels carrying missile launchers.

The exercises were the latest in a series of manoeuvres staged by Iran's military in the Gulf.

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