A senior military commander said the Iranian Army will stage 20 military maneuvers by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2017).
"We will stage 17 specialized maneuvers and 3 major drills by the yearend," Army Commander Lieutenant General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said on Sunday during a ceremony to unveil a simulator for the tactical helicopter that can fire TOW missiles, Press TV reported.
He noted that the first military exercise will be conducted in the southeastern parts of the country and a rapid response drill will then be held in western Iran.
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari also said on July 9 that Iranian naval forces will stage large-scale drills to boost and display the country's military prowess.
He noted that the naval forces will stage more than 20 drills before the end of the current Iranian year in different areas, adding that the maneuvers will mainly be held in the north of the Indian Ocean.
In recent years, Iran has conducted major military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and test modern military tactics and state-of-the-art equipment.
The Islamic Republic maintains that its military capabilities pose no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.
Pourdastan also said that Iran is among five countries that can manufacture helicopter simulators.
The commander noted that many helicopter parts are manufactured by Iranian experts.
