Tehran: Iran has begun production of its domestically made ground-to-air Shahin mid-range missile, state television IRINN reported on Saturday.
IRINN broadcast pictures of what it reported to be the test-firing of the Shahin missile, which hit a small target aircraft in the sky; the two exploding on impact.
Iranian Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was seen inaugurating the domestic production line of the Shahin missile system on Saturday, before being shown around the factory where they will be built, according to the television report.
Najjar praised the developments and said that the Shahin missile was one of the most advanced and complex of its kind.
The website of Iran's Press TV, an English language international television news channel funded by the Iranian government, quoted Najjar as saying the Shahin missile had a range of more than 40 kilometres (24 miles).
He added that the system would promote Iran's defence capabilities against possible air attacks.
The minister also said the research and production phases of the defence system including missile, missile interceptors, hardware and software networks and launch pad had been carried out by Iranian experts.
Last month, Iran test-fired a new deterrent ballistic missile, the Sajjil-2, with a 2000-kilometre (1242 miles) surface-to-surface range.