Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 15 /Trend T.Konyayeva/
The major "Velayat 3" drills showed that sanctions imposed on Iran by the US and its European allies over the past three decades were futile, Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) Brigadier General Hassan Shah-Safi told reporters, Press TV reported with reference to IRNA.
He noted that IRIAF displayed the great achievements it acquired over the past 33 years both in terms of quality and quantity despite enduring undue and extensive US-led sanctions that aimed to cripple our armed forces.
The Iranian commander stated that the drills intended to use modern smart arms, including long-range and mid-range laser missiles and air-to-air thermal missiles.
He also stated that during the maneuvers the operation and performance of Iranian new long-range smart bombs were assessed.
The IRIAF on Sept. 13 started the main phase of its four-staged air drills with testing hi-tech bombs and other advanced weapons systems, including various air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
An array of fighter jets, fighter bombers, cargo and transportation planes, including F-4, F-5, F-14, SU-24 fighter-bombers, Mig-29 and the logistic C-130 planes, and Saeqeh home-made fighter jets are used in the drills started in Northwestern Iran on Sept. 6.
Today is the last day of the Iranian ten-day air drills "Velayat-3".