The Islamic republic launched two upgraded versions of the indigenously-built Ghadir-class light submarine and two overhauled hovercrafts, Press TV reported Wednesday.

In the ceremony held in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas to launch the naval vessels, Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the country has reached self- sufficiency in the defense sector and can now meet its defense demands, according to Press TV.

"Since the beginning of the Islamic revolution (in 1979), we have learned not to ask for help from other countries ... (but to) stand on our own feet in meeting our demands," Sayyari was quoted as saying.

"Thanks to the Islamic revolution, Iran has acquired the know- how to build submarines. No one believed that we would reach a point where we would build destroyers capable of carrying helicopters and missiles in the Sea of Oman and oceans ..." he said.

According to Press TV, the Ghadir-class submarine was first unveiled in 2007. The 120-ton vessel has shallow-depth performance and can conduct prolonged coastal missions.

Sayyari said last week that the Islamic republic would hold a major naval drill dubbed Velayat 91, or Guardianship 91, in the 10th month of the next Iranian calendar year (from Dec. 21, 2012 to Jan. 20, 2013), to display the navy's might and deterrence power.

The report did not mention the location of the exercise. Iran has conducted naval drills in its southern waters.

The Iranian commander also said that the navy has plans to send a fleet of warships to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.