CONSTRUCTION of an aircraft carrier in Iran for a movie has been causing a stir among intelligence agencies and the US Navy after it was caught on film at a shipyard near Bandar Abbas, reports Jane's Defence Weekly.
It is rumoured that the US Navy and other intelligence analysts believe the mock-up will be used as a target and/or blown up for propaganda purposes if Iran's current negotiations with the international community stall.
Iranian media reported that the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) has published a photo of the mock up aircraft when Iran's Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh visited the shipyard.
The film is called "Airbus" and will be directed by Nader Talebzadeh. The film crew has not confirmed use of the mock-up aircraft in the movie.
According to the New York Times, the aircraft is two-thirds the length of the USN's Nimitz class, and has 68 USS Nimitz 's fleet number, reported Jane's.
The carrier has been under construction at a shipyard near Bandar Abbas since August 2013, when its frame could be seen in the most recent satellite imagery published by Google Earth. That shipyard is used to repair and produce naval vessels, but also makes commercial ships.
The Iranians hinted there would be further developments on this when they unveiled a new optical seeker for a ballistic missile.
The announcement has prompted speculation that the new seeker is being developed for a larger missile with a longer range.
WORLD SHIPPING
05 April 2014 - 04:18
Building of mock aircraft carrier in Iran for film raises eyebrows
CONSTRUCTION of an aircraft carrier in Iran for a movie has been causing a stir among intelligence agencies and the US Navy after it was caught on film at a shipyard near Bandar Abbas
WORLD SHIPPING
05 April 2014 - 04:18
Building of mock aircraft carrier in Iran for film raises eyebrows
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