Iran plans to develop indigenous long-range anti-aircraft missile systems, Iranian Defence Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has said.

“Manufacturing long-range missiles is on our agenda and we have taken some steps on this path,” he added.

The minister also dismissed reports regarding plans to produce Iranian versions of the Russian S-300 or S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Iran decided to build the missile system following the cancellation of an $800m deal signed with Russia in 2005 involving the sale of its S-300 system in September 2010.

The S-300 air defence system is an advanced mobile system capable of shooting down aircraft and cruise missiles from a distance of 150km, according to Fars News Agency.