Iran defence minister says 3,500 private companies engaged in military projects

Iran’s Defence Minister Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has said 3,500 private companies are cooperating with the ministry in military projects.

He said while addressing a ceremony to mark Defence Industry Day, that contracts with private sector companies amount to about $1 billion, Mehr News Agency reported on August 19. 

Ashtiani praised the defence industry’s success in developing ballistic missiles with solid and liquid fuel, anti-aircraft rockets, a 70% increase in manufacturing speedboats and 100% in marine weapons, producing naval mines and the transport aircraft Simorgh.

He added that Iran’s military exports had exceeded targets.