Iran tests new radar system

Iran has tested its newest long-range phased array radar system, named the Asr (Era), an Iranian Navy official said.

Rear Admiral Ali Gholamzadeh said the radar system had been designed and manufactured by Iranian experts, Iran's Mehr News reported Wednesday.

The radar system will be installed on a number of the navy's warships, he said.

He also said Iran was building new missiles and torpedoes, and added that new surface-to-air missiles would be announced in the near future.

He went on to say that the missiles used by naval vessels have been upgraded and their range and accuracy has been improved.

Gholamzadeh also said the Sahand destroyer would become operational in the next Iranian calendar year, which starts March 20, 2014.

The Sahand, which is equipped with advanced systems, was initially launched in November 2012.

Iran's first domestically manufactured destroyer, the Jamaran, was launched in February 2010.

The Iranian Navy has announced it plans to build new destroyers which are capable of firing missiles.