IRGC Navy Parades New Drones and Helicopters
Iran Holds a Show For New UAV Tech
Overt Operator
September 25, 2023
In a ceremony held in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy unveiled a new fleet of drones and helicopters for combat operations, local media reported.
The IRGC Navy commander, Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, announced that all their operations will now be carried out using homegrown drones.
The newly unveiled drones include the Sepehr vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, the Shahab-2, and the Hodhod-4 VTOL drone. These drones are equipped with advanced capabilities and can take aerial images of fixed and mobile naval targets during combat operations.
Notably, they can also take off from naval vessels, enhancing their mobility and flexibility.
The new drones add to the list of UAVs equipment Iran has been stockpiling in recent years.
One of the most significant additions to the IRGC Navy's fleet in recent months is the Mohajer-6, an all-weather pilotless aircraft with an impressive range of 200 kilometers. This drone is designed to carry a payload of four missiles, further bolstering the IRGC Navy's offensive capabilities.
In addition to the drones, the IRGC Navy also introduced two amphibious helicopters and four combat choppers armed with missiles. These helicopters will provide crucial support to IRGC Navy personnel during various missions.
Iran has been investing heavily in its domestic military industry, with experts and technicians making significant strides in manufacturing indigenous equipment. This self-sufficiency in arms production has made the Iranian armed forces less reliant on foreign suppliers.
Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized that the country's military capabilities are meant solely for defense purposes. They claim that these capabilities will strengthen regional stability, as the nation pushes for the lead in UAV and missile power. The IRGC’s push in this field has been a point of contention with some Western nations. However, Iran has consistently maintained that its defense capabilities will never be subject to negotiations.
The unveiling of these new drones and helicopters comes in line with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei's call to enhance and maintain Iran's defense capabilities. This move is seen as a response to those who seek to undermine Iran's missile program.
Iran's officials expressed a commitment to self-sufficiency in the defense sector serves as a deterrent against any potential threat or aggression.
With this latest addition to its military arsenal, the IRGC Navy demonstrates its readiness to defend the IRGC’s national and regional interests.This unveiling showcases the nation's progress in developing advanced and state-of-the-art military equipment that can effectively respond to emerging challenges and ensure Iran's defense readiness.