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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-zm5Woy1jg[/youtube]
Iran says they have delivered three squadrons of new Bevar 2 ground effect vehicles (aka "flying boats") to its "elite Republican Guard".
As to claims of stealth, the exposed engine and propeller (which is unfortunately designed to spill exhaust into the OPEN cockpit) nullifies any attempt at evading radar detection.
You have to respect the courage of the pilots. These flimsy things make the Soviet ekranoplan designs look stable.
Iran takes the design and manufacturing of domestic-built military hardware to a new level by delivering stealth flying boats to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
"Bavar 2," is a radar-evading fixed-wing seaplane capable of patrol and reconnaissance missions.
At least 11 flying boats joined the IRGC fleet on Tuesday after an official ceremony
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the new delivery was in line with the country's efforts to boast regional security.
"Equipping the country's Naval and Armed forces with advanced and modern weaponry will bolster the stability and security of the region and play an effective role in consolidating Iran's deterrent power," a statement on the Defense Ministry's website quoted Vahidi as saying.
The country has finished several major defense projects this year, despite several rounds of UN Security Council sanctions targeting Iranian military and financial sectors over Western allegations that Tehran is following a military nuclear program.
Iran will soon unveil and launch the second generation of Jamaran destroyers, Sina class frigates as well as a new generation of submarines, Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi announced last Wednesday.
In August, the Iranian Navy was equipped with four more domestically-made stealth Ghadir class mini-submarines
