Tehran, Iran, Feb.10
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
Iran is manufacturing its own tank - Karrar, instead of purchasing Russian T90 tanks, said the country's Defense Minister Hossein Dehgan.
Dehgan said that Karrar has all the capabilites of the T90, Defense Ministry's official website reported on Feb.10.
"We are producing Karrar domestically," he said. "It is more advanced than T90."
Iran previously held talks with Russia regarding the purchase of the T90 tanks, however later abandoned the idea. Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian army's ground forces has previously said that buying the T90 tanks is not on the country's agenda.
"The Russian T-90 tank is one of our favorites," he said, adding however purchasing this tank was later abandoned considering Iran's domestic capacities for producing tanks.
"Iran currently plans to use its domestic capacities to meet its demand for tanks," the commander said.
Sputnik news agency earlier reported that the purchase of T-90 main battle tanks would considerably rehabilitate Iran's tank fleet.
The T-90 is considered to be among the 10 best main battle tanks in the world. Currently it is the most commercially successful main battle tank on the global market, said the agency's report.
Under international restrictions, Iran has turned to domestic talents to improve its military power, frequently unveiling new products. Since 1992, Iran has been manufacturing its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radar, boats, submarines and fighter aircraft.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of Russaian Uralvagonzavod company Alexey Zharich said on Feb. 4 that his company proposed to license production of T90 in Iran if the UN sanctions on the country are lifted.