Iran on Saturday announced it had successfully test-fired new anti-armour weaponry and an anti-helicopter missile system on the third day of its latest war games.
"The new generation of anti-helicopter and anti-armour weapons were successfully tested on day three of the manoeuvres," an announcer on state television said as pictures of the test-firing were broadcast.
In the "Great Prophet II" war games, Iran has so far fired its Shahab-3 longer range missile for the first time in manoeuvres as well as new types of land-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles.
The anti-armour weapons tested Saturday include an anti-personnel rifle equipped with special sights that can identify an enemy seven kilometres (four miles) away and can penetrate a target wearing a bullet-resistant vest from a distance of three kilometres (two miles).
The other new anti-armour weapon tested was a system aimed at penetrating the armour plate of tanks that "can be carried by a person, with high accuracy, high speed and high explosive power".
"The bullet of this system penetrates the armoured equipment and then explodes," state television said.
The anti-helicopter weaponry was described as highly portable and accurate. Four anti-helicopter missiles can be fired from each system.
{{/usCountry}}The anti-helicopter weaponry was described as highly portable and accurate. Four anti-helicopter missiles can be fired from each system.
{{/usCountry}}"The anti-helicopter weapon can hit helicopters in different circumstances," the television added.
"The anti-armour weapon has the ability to penetrate different kinds of advanced bullet proof vests" as well as the armoured exterior of tanks, it said.
The war games come against a backdrop of rising international tension over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States leading a drive for UN sanctions against Tehran over its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.