TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Air Force kicked off a massive military exercise in central region on Thursday, official IRNA news agency reported.
The annual war game, named Defenders of Velayat Skies, began at Shahid Babaei air base in Iranian central province of Isfahan.
The drills' spokesman Alireza Angizeh said that other air bases across the country would join the maneuvers.
The two-day military exercise aims to enhance the preparedness of Iranian defensive and offensive units as well as testing the capabilities of Iranian air defense hardware to protect the country against threats.
The maneuvers will put to test dozens of bombers, hunter and interceptor jets as well as transport, refueling, reconnaissance and patrolling aircraft besides unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to the Press TV.
Sukhoi Su-24, F-4 and F-7 Phantoms, MiG-29, F-14 jets, Boeing 707 and 7047 aerial refueling planes and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, along with drones equipped with precision strike missiles and long-range smart bombs are taking part.
Domestically-manufactured rockets and bombs as well as laser-guided, anti-radar and thermal missiles will be put to test during the exercises.
