Iran unveils first national diesel engine, at a special ceremony attended by defense minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Iran's defense minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said: "In defense field, we are familiar with the concept of self-reliance and self-sufficiency.  Self-reliance and self-sufficiency are two essential needs for gaining more self-reliance and self-sufficiency."

Defense minister Hatami added:  "Our enemies have tried to stop us  achieving  this technology with the use of  sanctions. By God's grace, we are today participating in the inauguration ceremony of a production line for a diesel engine which has been built by Iranian experts, scientists and workers.  Definitely, this would be a tremendous boost to Irabnain industry."

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great advances in manufacturing a broad range of home-built  equipment.