Iran's potential new defence minister targets ambitious military overhaul Jump jets, AI, and expanded exports

The man who could become Iran’s next defence minister has unveiled an ambitious defence and armament agenda, aimed at enhancing all branches of the military.

Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh’s proposal includes the development of “jump jets,” advancements in artificial intelligence, heavy destroyers, and expanded satellite capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

On August 15, Nasirzadeh submitted his proposal to the parliament, focusing on strengthening Iran’s aerospace, naval, missile, and air defence sectors.

Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May, Massoud Pezeshkian was elected as the new president last month. Pezeshkian proposed a new cabinet to the parliament on Monday, nominating Nasirzadeh for the senior defence role.

“Nasirzadeh’s goals are ambitious, even audacious, but they align with the broader rhetoric of Iran’s defence industry,” noted Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Ben Taleblu highlighted that the proposed development of jump jets, which the plan suggests will feature vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, raises questions. He questioned how Iran might acquire Western technology for such jets, while another analyst, Sina Azodi, remarked that Tehran currently lacks the technology to produce engines capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

“The only potential source for such technology might be Russia, but Russia itself is not known for its expertise in jump jet production,” said Azodi, an adjunct professor at George Washington University with a focus on Iranian policy.

Nasirzadeh’s plan also includes integrating artificial intelligence into drones for swarming tactics, developing heavy multi-mission destroyers, enhancing air defences, and increasing the production of ballistic and cruise missiles.

“Iran is expected to focus on long-range strike platforms such as one-way attack drones, cruise missiles, and various types of ballistic missiles,” Ben Taleblu added.

The proposal also aims to launch 20 additional satellites into orbit. Tehran, which had struggled for years with indigenous satellite launches, successfully deployed four satellites earlier this year, according to Iranian state media.

On the international front, Nasirzadeh’s plan envisions doubling Iran’s defence exports. Although the timeline for this target is unspecified, the strategy outlines focusing military exports on neighbouring countries, Latin America, and Africa.

In response to questions about how Iran might achieve these goals, Ben Taleblu commented, “As Iran seeks to enter international arms markets and participate in global defence exhibitions, it is likely to increase its defence budget —both formally and informally — for these initiatives.”