Iran equips new drone carrier with unmanned stealth fighter jets Photo

A newly inducted drone carrier in Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has been fitted with two versions of an unmanned stealth fighter jet, designed for reconnaissance and strike missions.

The Martyr Baqeri drone carrier officially joined the IRGC Navy’s fleet on February 6, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

The warship, described as a mobile platform for aerial operations, is intended for deploying drones and helicopters across international waters.

According to IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the carrier has been furnished with two variants of Iran’s domestically developed stealth fighter jet, the Qaher (Conqueror). The unmanned jet, named JAS 313, is powered by jet engines and comes in two different sizes.

“The larger version of JAS 313 is equipped with a jet engine that enables it to conduct high-speed missions,” Tangsiri told Tasnim news agency. “It has a flight endurance of an hour.”

He added that both variants have been designed to carry out reconnaissance and airstrike operations for the IRGC Navy.

Iran first unveiled its Qaher-313 fighter jet in February 2013, describing it as a single-seat stealth aircraft capable of taking off and landing on short runways.

Tehran has sought to expand its domestic defence capabilities in recent years, citing Western sanctions that have limited its access to foreign military technology. Officials say the country has achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing various weapons systems.

By Aghakazim Guliyev