TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Navy is upgrading its warfare capabilities in the Caspian Sea in a bid to maintain peace and security along its coastal waters in the North, a senior commander said Saturday, reiterating that the country's military goals and agenda are all defensive in nature.Enhancing the Iranian Navys combat capabilities in the Caspian Sea is in line with national defense (policies) and maintenance of security at the coasts, Commander of the Iranian Army's 4th Naval Zone Admiral Khordad Hakimi told FNA in the Northern city of Rasht today.
The Islamic Republic of Irans Navy is moving towards reinforcing peace and friendship with other countries, Admiral Hakimi added.
In late September, Hakimi announced that the Iranian Navy would build new frigates in the Caspian Sea.
He also announced the Navy's plans to further develop its equipment in the Caspian Sea.
Hakimi also underlined that "establishment of order, security, peace and friendship in the Caspian Sea region is the Navy's strategy".
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said in September that the Iranian Navy is fully capable of manufacturing all its needed military tools and equipment.
The commander said that self-sufficiency in producing naval equipment has given the Iranian Navy strong surface and underwater capabilities both.
The Iranian Navy has accelerated and widened its progress after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei described it as "a strategic force".
"Given the current issues of the world and today's geopolitical conditions of the world, we should strengthen ourselves in sea and in coast as far as we can," Ayatollah Khamenei stressed on November 28, 2010, addressing senior Navy commanders here in Tehran in a ceremony to commemorate the National Navy Day.
The leader also stressed that increasing manpower, recruiting talented personnel and taking innovations and initiatives into action are highly necessary for the future of the country's naval forces.
Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.
By Fars News Agency
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