Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

IRAN LAUNCHES MAJOR NAVAL EXERCISE


NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran has launched what has been described as a major regional naval exercise.

Iranian officials said the exercise was the largest in more than a year and included underwater, and surface vessels. The naval assets were supported by fighter-jets and bombers.
The exercise, termed Unity-83, included the participation of 76 marine units as well as a range of air force combat jets. Officials said the exercise would proceed in four stages to test a series of capabilities, particularly the interoperability between surface vessels, submarines and aircraft.

Unity-83 was described as a regional exercise in which submarines would conducts maneuvers in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean. Officials said the exercise would demonstrate the navy's power projection capabilities, force readiness, and new naval basing facilities.

http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2004/may/05_23_2.html