News - Middle East: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has developed and manufactured two air-launched cruise missiles intended to target and destroy hostile drones and guided missiles, says Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.

The two indigenous standoff weapons have a range of virtually four and 17 kilometers, the commander of Iran’s IRGC Navy said at a ceremony in the southwestern city of Arvandkenar, 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Abadan, on Saturday.

He said the two new missiles have already been manufactured, and will be unveiled in future.

The Iranian general said the capabilities of the missiles developed by the IRGC Navy were “peerless in the world,” stating that the AI-powered missiles can precisely strike the designated targets at a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers.

Tangsiri also hailed the IRGC Navy’s progress in manufacturing vessels. He said the force has already developed the advanced Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani patrol combat warship, Shahid Sayyad Shirazi – named after the late former deputy chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces – and Shahid Bagheri drone aircraft carrier.

The commander highlighted that the homegrown vessels enjoy distinctive endurance features and cruising speed, and can cruise three times faster than their US counterparts.

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, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiation.

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