TEHRAN, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran's navy will stage a large-scale military exercise in the country's southern waters, Tasnim news agency reported Thursday.
Iran's Navy commander Hossein Khanzadi said the upcoming naval drills, code-named Velayat-97, will be held in an area of 2 million square km in the Iranian southern waters, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean.
The drills will be held in four separate phases, including naval parades, simulation of a real naval war, maritime and land offense to recapture territories occupied by the enemy, and the display of the navy's power by launching various types of missiles and torpedoes, Khanzadi was quoted as saying.
The navy will also fly patrol, reconnaissance and bomber drones during the war game for the first time, he said.
In addition, the submarines will launch missiles in the exercise for the first time, the Iranian commander noted, adding that electronic warfare tactics and electronic data transmission from the coast will be included in the war game.
The drills are expected to be launched on Friday, local media said.
