Iran is to launch a massive air defense drills in the near future with the participation of the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), a senior Iranian commander said.

“After the successful launch of the tactical air defense exercises in several areas of the country over the past year, the major national maneuver is planned to be held in the next Persian calendar month (September 22-October 21),” Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said on Saturday, Sept 1.

All the air defense systems of Iran's Army and the IRGC, including the air defense jet fighters of the Army’s Air Force will be employed during the drill, Esmaili said.

One of the objectives in the drills will be the creation of emergency situations with the aim of preparing the air defense personnel for the management of crisis in crisis.

In late August, Iran's Air Defense Force announced the construction of the Islamic Republic’s largest air defense base in the southern Iranian city of Abadeh.