Iran’s IRGC Ground Force holds largest ever combined military drill in southeast

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Ground Force has launched the largest ever combined military exercise in the country’s southeast.

The drill, code-named Mohammad Rasoolullah (Muhammad the Messenger of God) (PBUH), was held by the Quds Base of the IRGC’s Ground Forces in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan on Thursday.

Described as one of the largest operational training drills of the IRGC in the country’s southeast, the exercise, with a geographical and operational focus, was held in a combined format in two major military and non-military phases, Tasnim News Agency reported. 

According to the report, various operational units of the IRGC’s Quds Base, including missiles, artillery, drones, helicopters, armored vehicles, special forces and specialized combat units, successfully conducted simulated and actual operations.

In the military phase of the exercise, infantry and commando forces also took part in the drill, which involved practicing electronic warfare, with a focus on offensive operations and strong defense.  

“One of the important and operational features of the exercise, which was carried out with the participation of the Basij volunteer forces, Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces and border guards, was the focus on the people’s role in ensuring lasting security,” according to the report.            

Last month, the IRGC launched a large-scale military exercise in an area stretching along the southern shores of the country on the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The drills involved various IRGC units, such as the aerospace force and the cyber-electronic division, and covered the coastlines of the southern Iranian provinces of Hormozgan, Bushehr, and Khuzestan.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great progress in developing and manufacturing a broad range of domestically-manufactured equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in this regard.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to build up its defense capabilities, emphasizing such abilities are entirely meant for the purpose of defense and will be never subject to negotiations.