Iran unveils long-range drone bomber

The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has unveiled a new long-range drone, dubbed Karar, which reportedly can bomb targets at high speed, state television reported. Television footage showed the president applauding as a blue cloth which had been covering the drone was pulled back to reveal a short aircraft painted in military-green with the words "Bomber jet" written on its side. Images were then broadcast on television showing the aircraft flying. Mr Ahmadinejad made a speech at the ceremony, held in a hall of Tehran's Malek Ashtar University, but did not mention the drone.

The unveiling of the aircraft comes as Iran marks its annual Defence Industries Day. State television's website reported that the drone has "different capabilities, including carrying bombs to destroy targets." It said the plane can fly for a "long range at high speed". The website cited the defence minister Ahmad Vahidi as saying that the Karar is a "symbol of the versatility and advancement of Iran's defence industries".

The unveiling of Karar, the nickname of Imam Ali, the first Shiite imam, comes two days after Iran test fired a domestically built surface-to-surface missile, Qiam (Rising). During the next few days Iran is expected to make series of further military announcements as the nation marks the annual government week, a period used by Tehran to tout its achievements. In this period Iran is also expected to test fire a third generation Fateh 110 (Conqueror) missile.

*AFP