Iran displays first home-made fighter drone
By Sara Rajabova
Iran has showcased its first home-made fighter drone equipped with air defense missiles during the "Sacred Defense Week".
Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said the drone is capable of destroying all types of aircrafts including fighters, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, IRNA news agency reported on September 23.
Hatami noted that the drone was manufactured by Iran's Defense Ministry.
Iran has unveiled various home-made drones so far including Ababil, Fotros, Hazem, Karrar (long range attack drone), Mohajer, Sarir, Shahed 129, Yasir and Zohal.
In recent years, Iran has taken great strides in defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.
Earlier, the country has successfully test-fired the indigenously designed and manufactured Talaash 3 (endeavor) missile defense system. Iranian armed forces also unveiled two marine cruise missiles, Ghadir and Nasr-e Basir, as well as two unmanned aerial vehicles, Karrar-4 and Mohajer-4.
The Iranian media outlets say that the country has achieved great progress in the field of UAV manufacturing. The country unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range UAV named Karrar in 2010. Since then the country has manufactured a variety of other high-tech surveillance and combat unmanned aerial vehicles. The country showcased its largest yet home-made UAV, titled 'Fotros' last November.
Iran also inaugurated the production line of two domestically-built UAVs dubbed Raad and Nazir with bombing and reconnaissance capabilities at that year. The two hi-tech drones are capable of performing long-range reconnaissance, patrolling, assault and bombing missions with high precision.
The first Iranian medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the Shahed-129 was unveiled in September 2012, which is capable of carrying out combat and reconnaissance missions for 24 hours.
Iran started mass production of the "Yasir" UAV in September 2013. The UAV is equipped with light powerful modern cameras and can precisely control the target. The Yasir UAV can be used for rescue, military operations and for controlling traffic.
Iran has also conducted several military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.
Since 1992, Iran has manufactured its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radars, boats, submarines and fighter planes. Tehran has frequently announced that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.