DIIG Current Issues No. 28: Defense Industrial Policy the Iranian Way

In February 2012, the Islamic Republic of Iran celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution with the unveiling of new defense acquisition programs and the launch of a spy satellite. Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi revealed that Iran’s latest laser-guided munitions, anti-armor missile systems, advanced radar and electronic warfare projects will all be developed and manufactured by its domestic defense industry. These displays of Iranian defense industrial capability are touted by the regime as a signal of Iran’s technical prowess and military strength in the face of intensified western sanctions. More importantly, these developments further highlight the important contributions of Iran’s defense industrial base to the country’s strategic goals: self-reliance in defense capabilities, building new diplomatic relations and deterrence by proxy.