WANA (Feb 27) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy officially added the Shahid Rais Ali Delvari warship and new high-speed missile boats to its fleet in a ceremony held in Bandar Abbas on Thursday. The event was attended by Major General Hossein Salami, the IRGC’s commander-in-chief.

 

The newly unveiled fast-attack boats can reach speeds of 110 knots and are equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles.

 

The Shahid Rais Ali Delvari, a Shahid Soleimani-class warship, is capable of launching 750-km-range missiles and has an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles, allowing it to travel as far as Sri Lanka and back.

 

Additionally, the Iranian Army Ground Forces (NEZAJA) integrated heavy, semi-heavy, and ultra-heavy military equipment into its defense system in a separate ceremony attended by high-ranking military officials, including Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, and Brigadier General Nozar Nemati.

 

Additionally, the Iranian Army Ground Forces (NEZAJA) integrated heavy, semi-heavy, and ultra-heavy military equipment into its defense system in a separate ceremony attended by high-ranking military officials, including Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, and Brigadier General Nozar Nemati.

 

Speaking at the ceremony on Thursday, Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, the commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces, stated that the force is continuously updating its weaponry.

 

“We are utilizing various types of intelligence, operational, and combat drones, and we have successfully established a comprehensive UAV system within our organization to carry out suicide, offensive, and reconnaissance missions,” he said.

 

Heidari emphasized that the Army Ground Forces now employ multiple drone models. “Yazdan drones are hand-launched and used for intelligence gathering. Arash is a strategic UAV with a 2,000-kilometer range, making it the most effective drone in our arsenal.

 

Additionally, we have vertical take-off and landing drones designed for artillery reconnaissance. Overall, drones have become a strategic and impactful weapon in our missions,” he added.

 

Regarding the Karrar tank, Heidari noted that it is a highly advanced, state-of-the-art combat vehicle being developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense. “Some units have already been delivered to our forces, and more will be integrated soon,” he said.

 

He also dismissed any claims that the production of the Zolfaghar tank had been halted. “We are adding new capabilities to the Zolfaghar to ensure it remains a battlefield tank for future conflicts. Alongside this, we have modernized the M60 tank, equipping it with a mobile fire platform to enhance its effectiveness in upcoming wars,” he explained.

 

Heidari further stated that M60 tanks across the Army Ground Forces have been upgraded with enhanced operational capabilities to better withstand modern warfare.

 

In a significant development, Heidari announced the replacement of the aging G3 rifle with the advanced Masaf-2 firearm. “Following an order from Admiral Sayyari, Deputy Coordinator of the Army, the Ground Forces have officially retired the G3 after 53 years. The Masaf-2, a cutting-edge weapon designed by our specialists and mass-produced by the Ministry of Defense, has taken its place,” he concluded.