The naval division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has furnished its military helicopters with locally-produced naval mines amid efforts by specialists and technicians to develop state-of-the-art munitions and equipment.
According to a documentary titled “Iranian Munitions”, broadcast on the state-run documentary TV channel IRIB Mostanad on Tuesday, IRGC Navy helicopters are now capable of conducting mine-laying operations and can discharge self-contained explosive devices in water to destroy enemy submarines.
The documentary showed a Soviet-built Mil Mi-17 military helicopter of the force dropping home-grown Maham-II naval mines off Iran’s southern shores.
The Iranian naval mine, which reportedly contains 350 kilograms of explosives, is equipped with both sonic and magnetic sensors.
Maham-II is laid at a depth of 10 to 50 meters in the sea and can destroy various surface ships or submarines weighing up to 250 tons and cruising at a speed of 4 to 15 knots.
IRGC Navy helicopters are already equipped with home-grown anti-ship Noor cruise missiles with a range of 120 kilometers (74.5 miles), Qader air-launched missiles with a range of 200 kilometers (124.2 miles), and S-5 57mm caliber rocket launchers.
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 open for negotiations.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities, decrying enemies for questioning the country’s missile program.