Iran to build advanced destroyers: commander

TEHRAN - A senior Iranian naval commander said Monday the Islamic republic is planning to build advanced destroyers, the local satellite Press TV reported.

Rear Admiral Abbas Zamini said on Monday that the country has managed to acquire the state-of-the-art expertise to manufacture and maintain all sorts of destroyers, said Press TV.

Zamini said that building numerous surface and subsurface destroyers, including currently-used Jarmaran-class destroyers, are currently underway at the country's defense industries, said the report.

The production of five other naval destroyers similar and even more advanced than the Jarmaran are on the Navy's agenda, he added.

According to the report, the Iranian Navy launched its first domestically-manufactured destroyer Jarmaran in the waters of the Persian Gulf in February 2010.

The 1,420-ton destroyer, which is part of the 16th fleet of Iranian warships, is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities.

It has a top speed of up to 30 knots and a helipad. The destroyer features highly advanced anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-subsurface systems. The vessel has also been equipped with torpedoes and naval cannons.