Iran’s navy has officially inducted the country’s largest military vessel into its fleet during a maritime missile drill at a time of heightened tensions with the United States over its nuclear programme, Al Jazeera reports.
The indigenously-made forward base ship IRIS Makran, which is said to be able to carry up to five helicopters, joined the fleet with another ship that is capable of firing missiles.
The 228-metre (748-foot) long warship, previously an oil tanker, has been repurposed to provide logistical support, carry out search and rescue missions, deploy special forces, replenish and transport supplies, offer medical assistance, and act as a base for fast boats.
They will fire surface-to-surface cruise missiles in the sea, test out missiles from submarines, conduct special forces operations, and deploy unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the two-day drill being conducted in the Sea of Oman.
"By organising this drill we can evaluate our ability to respond to potential threats from the enemy in a timely manner and improve our performance through addressing weaknesses and boosting strengths,” said Admiral Hamzeh Ali Kaviani, who acted as the spokesman for the drill.
