1,000 state-of-the-art drones join Iranian army combat fleet
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Iran's military reveals it added 1,000 strategic drones to its fleet, designed for specialized missions, enhancing reconnaissance and border surveillance.
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Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, right, speaks with the army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi in a ceremony to deliver domestically-built drones to the army on January 13, 2025. (Iranian Army via AP)
The Islamic Republic of Iran's Army announced on Monday it incorporated 1,000 strategic drones with advanced anti-fortification and stealth capabilities into its combat forces.
The integration ceremony, led by Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, and attended by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, marked the addition of drones to Iran's combat forces.
These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) boast exceptional capabilities, including a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, significant destructive power, the ability to evade defenses with their low radar cross-section (RCS), and the ability to fly autonomously for extended periods without external control.
The drones are designed for specialized missions, enhancing reconnaissance and border surveillance, while strengthening the Army's long-range strike capabilities against distant targets.
These UAVs, developed in collaboration with military scientists, the Ministry of Defense, and knowledge-based companies, are produced at the Army's drone facilities and will be deployed to key bases and regions as required.
The Iranian Army's fleet was expanded in January of last year with a large number of homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles suitable for various military operations.
The UAVs, designed by Defense Ministry experts, include multipurpose strategic Ababil-4 and Ababil-5 drones that can be used for reconnaissance, patrol missions, electronic warfare, data collection, and aerial combat.
The Army has also received new Arash drones, which can carry out long-range suicide missions with pinpoint accuracy.
Iranian drones capable of sea operations: Defense Minister
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said the country's drones, which are part of a larger strategy to increase the military's operational flexibility and readiness, are now capable of landing at sea.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the delivery of 1,000 strategic drones to the Iranian army, General Nasirzadeh emphasized the effective synergy between the defense industry and the Iranian Army, noting that the drone delivery was the result of this collaboration.
"The Iranian Army has achieved significant maturity in drone deployment," Nasirzadeh said, adding that various types of drones with innovative capabilities are utilized across the Army's ground, air, naval, and air defense forces.
The defense minister stated that drones used in defensive and integrated missions can take off and land on the sea and that drones that assist in ground operations, such as those incorporated today, have increased the Iranian army's ability to dominate the skies and deliver devastating blows to the enemy when necessary.
Referring to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Sayyed Ali Khamenei's statement on equipping the Islamic Ummah (with defensive capability), Nasirzadeh noted that the defense industry is responsible for producing the necessary military equipment. "What we display in exercises is just a portion of our capabilities," he said, adding that there are astonishing and surprising tools that will be used if necessary.
"We will not allow any enemy to act with audacity," Nasirzadeh declared, attributing the increased activity in the defense industry to the relentless demands of army commanders. He expressed pride in working alongside the self-sufficiency scientists of the Iranian Army to meet military needs.
Highlighting the dynamic nature of weapon production, Nasirzadeh remarked that advancements are driven by monitoring operational environments and global technological progress. "Drones are no exception to this," he said, underscoring the role of new operational and software technologies in defining military drone requirements.
Nasirzadeh confirmed the integration of artificial intelligence in drones and stressed the importance of adapting drones based on operational monitoring and access to cutting-edge technology. He also mentioned the Ministry of Defense's production of first-person view (FPV) drones in collaboration with various organizations, ensuring extensive coordination in the development process.
Iranian destroyer’s cruise missile power quadrupled
In November last year, the Iranian Navy's Sabalan destroyer surpassed its previous record for carrying the highest number of cruise missiles, according to Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani.
Speaking to Tasnim, Irani revealed that the missile capabilities of the Sabalan have quadrupled, both in variety and range, compared to its original configuration. He added that the destroyer is now equipped with 16 anti-ship cruise missiles. The general noted that the upgraded version of the military vessel will be unveiled soon.
Weighing 1,500 tons, the Sabalan was initially equipped with just four ‘Qader’ and ‘Qadir’ cruise missiles.
In January of last year, the Iranian Army greatly expanded its fleet with a substantial number of domestically produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for various military operations.
Developed by Ministry of Defense experts, the fleet includes the versatile Ababil-4 and Ababil-5 drones, which can carry out reconnaissance, patrol missions, electronic warfare, data collection, and aerial combat.
The Army has also acquired new Arash drones, designed for carrying out long-range suicide missions with precise accuracy.
