TEHRAN (AP) ― Iran’s defense minister has inaugurated a missile production plant aimed at improving the country’s air defense capabilities.

The semiofficial Fars news agency quoted Gen. Hossein Dehghan as saying Saturday that the Sayyad-2 missile production facility allows the Islamic Republic to hit helicopters, drones and other aerial targets at medium range. The solid fuel gives the missiles improved accuracy compared to liquid fuelled missiles, which make up the bulk of Iran’s air defense arsenal.

Dehghan says scientists have also completed research on another missile system named Talash, or effort.

Tehran has been trying to set up a self-sufficient military program since 1992, putting an emphasis on air defense and naval power.