Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian, commander of the naval forces of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced Friday that Iran had developed the capability to design, upgrade, and manufacture small, modern, missile- launching vessels. He also stated that Iran had made considerable progress toward the production of small, tactical submarines. Speaking at the conclusion of the "Victory 8" naval exercises in the Persian Gulf, Admiral Ahmadian noted that the addition of conventional vessels to the IRGC's traditional naval arsenal of speedboats and shore-launched missiles had dramatically increased the capabilities of IRGC naval units. According to Admiral Ahmadian, the Victory 8 exercises, which were held from October 11 to 17, focused on developing strategies and tactics for coordinated modern missile warfare. Mohammad-Razi Hadayeq, commander of the IRGC's missile sites, asserted that the exercises, which included tests of "upgraded" missiles, had demonstrated that Iran is the strongest missile power in the region.