South Front
Click to see full-size image. Source: the Tasnim News Agency.
On April 20, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army received 200 locally-made drones with combat, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities.
In a televised ceremony, Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani handed over “more than 200 long-range strategic drones” to army chief Abdolrahim Mousavi, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The drones were handed over to different units across Iran.
The so-called “strategic” drones are a mix of several types, including Ababil-4, Ababil-5, Arash, Karrar, Shahrivar 10th, Akhgar, Switchblade, Homa, as well as several types of sea-based and vertical take off and landing drones.
The new drones, which were designed and manufactured by the Iranian Defense Ministry in cooperation with the army, are capable of carrying out a broad range of missions, including combat, reconnaissance and electronic warfare operations. Some of them can be armed with air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
Despite facing sabotage attempts by Israel as well as strict sanctions by the United States and the European Union, Iran managed to expand its drone program in the last few years. Today, the country is one of the world leaders in drone technology.
Tehran says its drone program is purely defensive and of a deterrent nature. However, it is repeatedly accused of supplying advanced drones to its allies in the Middle East for use against regional foes and to Russia for use in the special military operation in Ukraine.
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