Commander: IRGC Expanding Airborne Units

“The Airborne Force’s new bases are being built across the country,” General Pakpour told FNA on Wednesday.

Stressing that helicopters and drones are one of the most important instruments in contemporary wars, he said that the IRGC Ground Force has prioritized advancement in the two fields.

“We have made good progress in helicopter and drone manufacturing in the IRGC Ground Force,” Pakpour added.

Lieutenant Commander of the IRGC Ground Force General Abdollah Araqi confirmed in February that the IRGC has set up and is equipping its Airborne Force upon an order from Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

“The Airborne Force is one of the most important pillars of ground forces in the world, and we are equipping the new unit upon the Leader’s order,” he told FNA at the time.

This is while the IRGC helicopters are mostly used in missions by the IRGC Aerospace Force.

According to Araqi, a number of helicopters have been delivered to the IRGC Ground Force and this is still ongoing.

Given the type of missions carried out by the Ground Forces across the world, they are in need of Airborne Force for logistic support and offensive operations.

The IRGC Aerospace force enjoys high capabilities and has taken wide strides in building different home-made aircraft, including drones.

The Islamic Republic has so far unveiled various domestically produced drones, including Ababil, Fotros, Hazem, Karrar (long range attack drone), Mohajer, Sarir, Shahed 129, Yasir and Zohal.