TEHRAN: Iran has launched a 50-year-old destroyer on the Persian Gulf after overhauling it and rearming with modern missiles.
The experts had equipped the destroyer Bayandor during its 20-month overhaul with anti-ship missiles capable of firing 160 kilometers (100 miles), Iranian state TV quoted Rear Adm. Abbas Zamini as saying.
Zamini said the destroyer joined Iran’s navy in 1964 and is named after a World War II war hero.
Tehran has been pursuing a self-sufficiency military program, reportedly producing its own jet fighters, tanks, missiles and light submarines as well as torpedoes since 1992.
