The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Force was handed Tuesday new advanced Iranian-made drones that would greatly improve its surveillance and offensive operations in the face of the terrorist groups whose activities are being countered fiercely by the security forces.

According to Iranian news site PressTV, the IRGC's Ground Forces were supplied with Shahed-131 suicide and Ababil-5 surveillance and combat drones, with the Tuesday handover ceremony being attended by senior IRGC commanders and other senior military figures.

The Shahed drone in question is as new as 2021, as it was first used publicly in combat scenarios in January of that year during the Great Prophet 15 military exercises. The drone was shown engaging numerous targets and it proved to be highly efficient and precise.

One of the main simulations shown during the exercises was a drone strike on a facility representing the Israeli Dimona nuclear power plant.

The Shahed-131 has a combat radius of 900 km and weighs in at 135 kg with a wingspan of 2.2 m, meaning it is highly maneuverable and can be used for precision operations.

The Ababil-5 combat drone, meanwhile, was first unveiled on April 18, 2022, National Army Day. It showcased the latest technology developed by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) with design elements taken from its predecessors of the same UAV family.

Ababil-5 has short wings that allow it to carry a heavy payload, which, while it impacts its maneuverability, is a positive compromise to increase the damage it can cause through the increase in the payload.

The combat drone is also equipped with a retractable front landing gear, which extensively enhances its surveillance capabilities.

Iran developing military capabilities

In recent years, Iranian military experts and engineers have achieved significant advancements and reached notable milestones in producing a diverse array of domestically-made equipment, establishing self-sufficiency for the armed forces.

Emphasizing their commitment to enhancing military capabilities, particularly in missile power, Iranian officials have consistently asserted that these endeavors solely serve defensive purposes as they underline that the Islamic Republic would not waver on its right to defend itself.

In light of the latest military revelations, IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami revealed last Wednesday that Iran could wage war from a distance and engage in military operations. 

"War from distance is a war of equipment and technologies, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has succeeded in obtaining these capabilities,"

IRNA news quoted the general explaining during the National Conference of High-Speed Vessels at the Persian Gulf University that war from a distance is "a war of equipment and technologies."

He divulged that Iran has been successful in securing such technology and equipment and detailed that Iran's missiles and boats are equipped with artificial intelligence technology that operates with tremendous accuracy.

He applauded the nation's development in numerous areas like military and deterrence forces and expressed that "Today, we can move from Bushehr to the American coasts, which is a sign of the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran."