(above): Ahmadinejad calls the jet a "messenger of salvation and dignity for humanity" (above): The drone was unveiled on Iran's annual Defense Industry Day - AFP Agence France Press reports: "State television footage showed the president applauding as a blue cloth covering the Karar (assailant) was removed to reveal a short aircraft marked 'bomber jet' in military-green. "The broadcast showed the aircraft in flight, while Fars news agency quoted Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi as saying the drone had a range of up to 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). "'This jet, before it heralds death for enemies, is the messenger of salvation and dignity for humanity,' Ahmadinejad said in his speech at the unveiling in a hall at Tehran's Malek Ashtar university. "State television said the drone was built to 'carry and fire four stealth cruise missiles... and, depending on the mission, it can carry two bombs of 250 pounds (115 kilos) each or a precision missile of 500 pounds (230 kilos).' "Ahmadinejad said Iran's defence abilities 'should reach a point where we can cut off the aggressor's arm before he acts, and if we miss, we should destroy him before he hits the target.' "'The main message of Karar bomber is to prevent any kind of aggression and conflict' against Iran, he added." (above): The drone has a flight range of up to 1,000 kilometres (621 miles), according to Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi - AFP Ahmadinejad unveils bomber drone The Karar was unveiled on Iran's annual Defence Industry Day, and two days after the Islamic republic test-fired a domestically built surface-to-surface missile, the Qiam (rising). Iran is expected to follow up with series of military announcements as the nation also marks "government week," a period which Tehran uses to tout its achievements. The country is also expected to test-fire a third generation Fateh (conquerer) 110 missile, after having already paraded a version with a range of 150 to 200 kilometres (90 to 125 miles). The production lines of two missile-carrying speedboats, Seraj and Zolfaqar, are also due to be inaugurated. Karar's unveiling came days after Iran took delivery of four domestically-built Ghadi mini-submarines, a "stealth" vessel designed to operate in shallow waters such as the Gulf. The moves coincide with Iranian warnings against any attack. Its arch-foes, the United States and Israel, have not ruled out military action over Iran's controversial nuclear programme. And on Saturday, Iran began to load nuclear fuel in its first nuclear power plant. The Russian-built reactor in the southern port of Bushehr, which is not targeted by UN sanctions, aims to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
AFP
Published: Sunday August 22, 2010
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