Iran to Use Drones for Naval Missions

Iran plans to start using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in naval missions, Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced on Monday, adding that the country will unveil different types of multi-purpose drones in the near future.

“Using UAVs is a need in the country’s naval sector and the naval sector will be equipped with this technology in the near future,” Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on the sidelines of a conference on the development of Iran’s Southeastern coasts of Makran in Chabahar in Southeaster Iran today.

“Different types of combat and reconnaissance drones for land and sea missions will be unveiled soon, which will play a crucial role in boosting the country’s defensive power,” Vahidi told the Islamic republic news agency.

Earlier this month, Deputy Defense Minister for Industrial and Research Affairs Mohammad Eslami had announced that Tehran plans to unveil its long-range drone late in May.

“We are producing 20 types of UAVs inside the country, which are classified in the three categories of long, short and mid-range and altitude,” Eslami said at the time.

He said the long-range category is known as a strategic class, and added the mid-range drones are used for reconnaissance missions, while the short-range drones are suitable for training courses and wargames.

He noted the production of the strategic class of drones, and said, “We hope to soon unveil new strategic drones which can fly up to 30,000 feet in altitude and 24 hours of nonstop flight.”

He noted that the drones are used in different ranges depending on their missions, and stated, “God willing, the country’s newest hi-tech, long-range drone will be unveiled on May 24.”

Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, specially in designing and manufacturing pilotless drones.

In September, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defense units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country’s air defense capability.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defense here in Tehran on September 3, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defense units with Haazem drones.

The drone can be used as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions.

Haazem can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments as well.