Iran army gets 200 new "strategic" drones

The newly-added unmanned aircraft include a host of long-range drones jointly designed and manufactured by the Iranian Defence Ministry and the Army for different missions of surveillance, radar evasion, detection, interception, and combat, among other things, IRNA reports.

Thanks to modifications made to the drones, the aircraft are now equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, standoff and smart bombs, as well as electronic warfare systems, which enable the newly-built drones to accomplish special missions.

The unmanned aerial vehicles were received by the Iranian Army as part of a deal with the Defence Ministry to enhance the country’s combat readiness.

Addressing one of the ceremonies, Defence Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said that Iran will strongly continue to enhance its drone capabilities.

He said that assessment of combat scenes brought the Defence Ministry to the conclusion that drones play a key role in such scenes. Therefore, he added, measures to design and manufacture different types of drones were taken in the past years.

Now, with regard to the variety of the missions that the domestically-produced drones can conduct, the combat readiness of the Iranian armed forces has increased significantly, the minister added.

Gharaei Ashtiani said that his ministry will also continue to support the armed forces as long as other military equipment, such as missiles and air Defence systems, is concerned.

The Chief Commander of the Iranian Army, Major General Abdorrahim Mousavi, made a speech as well.

He spoke about the sacrifices the Army has made through the years since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, from defending the country during the imposed war in the 1980s to assisting operations in natural disasters.

The top commander also hailed the achievements the army has attained in enhancing its capabilities including the ability to manufacture planes and drones.

He said that the achievements come despite hostile measures by arrogant powers and have been made thanks to the prudence and support of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.