The Iranian Navy has successfully completed a six-day naval manoeuvre, known as ‘The Great Naval Wargames of Velayat 91’ in the Persian Gulf, aimed at testing its capabilities to defend and provide security in at sea.
Different classes of sub-surface units, warships, destroyers, choppers and aircraft belonging to the Iranian Navy participated in the naval exercise that was conducted in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Iranian Navy commander rear admiral Habibollah Sayyari was earlier quoted by Fars News Agency as saying: "Among the aims of the drill is to display the capabilities of Iran’s Armed Forces and the navy to defend our country’s water borders and interests in line with establishing durable security in the region and conveying the message of peace and friendship to the neighbouring states."
The Velayat 91 drills involved testing of missile and defence systems, combat fleets and submarines including training, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, as well as combating threat exercises.
In addition, the navy conducted surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile firings, helicopter landing and taking-off and submarine-related drill, as well as showcasing different tactics to defend territorial waters and coastlines.
Artillery firepower capability for destroying enemy vessels and operational capability testing of indigenously built hovercraft were also conducted during the wargames.
As well as destroying vessels with advanced missiles and torpedoes, the navy also test-fired Ra’d (Thunder) surface-to-air mid-range missiles, smart short-range coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea ‘Nasr’ (Victory) cruise missiles.
Demonstration of Qader (Mighty) coast-to-sea cruise missile and Nour (Light) advanced surface-to-surface anti-ship missile from Iranian Navy vessels were also carried out as part of the drills.
