Iran unveils 1,000 novel domestic drones for army's arsenal PHOTO

09 January 2025 16:11

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army has announced the imminent mass delivery of 1,000 new strategic drones to its fleet.

These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been designed and produced domestically by the Iranian Army and the Defense Ministry, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

This development follows a similar initiative last January when a significant number of domestically manufactured drones were integrated into the Army’s arsenal. Among the new additions were the multipurpose Ababil-4 and Ababil-5 drones, which are capable of performing reconnaissance, patrol missions, electronic warfare, data collection, and aerial combat.

Additionally, the Army has acquired the Arash drones, which are specialized for long-range suicide missions with high precision.

Notably, Iran has become a significant player in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of its military strategy. Over the past several decades, the country has expanded its drone fleet, comprising a wide range of models that serve diverse functions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. The UAVs are mainly operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, but other branches of the Iranian military also utilize them for various missions.

Key UAV models:

Mohajer series: Iran's UAV development dates back to the 1980s with the Mohajer drones, which include several variants like the Mohajer-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5. These drones primarily serve reconnaissance and surveillance roles, and the latest models have enhanced capabilities.
Shahed series: Among the most advanced models in Iran's fleet, the Shahed-129 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone comparable to the U.S. MQ-1 Predator, used for both surveillance and attack missions. The Shahed-136 is another notable model, designed as a loitering munition, often referred to as a "kamikaze" drone, capable of carrying out precision strikes.
Mohajer-6: A tactical reconnaissance and combat drone that can carry air-to-ground missiles, the Mohajer-6 enhances Iran's precision strike capabilities.
Kaman-22: A wide-body combat drone with a 3,000 km range and a 24-hour flight duration, capable of carrying a variety of weaponry. This drone represents one of Iran's most advanced designs, further extending its military reach.
Fotros: Another high-end combat drone, the Fotros has a range of 2,000 km, can operate at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet, and boasts an impressive flight endurance of 16–30 hours, capable of carrying a significant payload of missiles.