Iranian military deepens links with auto manufacturers

Iranian companies with close ties to the military will work more closely with local vehicle manufacturers in future, defence minister Brig Gen Hatami has declared.

In remarks reported by state-run media to mark National Defence Industry Day on 16 August, Hatami claimed that contracts worth more than IRR40 trillion ($950 million) have already been signed.

‘The Islamic Republic President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the Ministry of Defence to have an active role in Iran's vehicle industry,’ Hatami added.

MoD-backed companies are active in the production of automobile parts, although Hatami denied that the ministry will branch out directly into vehicle production.

He added that Iran is looking to export defence materiel, after the UN Security Council voted on 14 August not to extend an international arms embargo on the country.

Hatami repeated the claim, often made by the government, that Iran is more than 90% self-sufficient in terms of defence equipment production, adding: ‘Iran will use all capacities in the world to meet its arms requirements, selling and exporting weapons after sanctions removal.’

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