TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Army’s Ground Force has made newdrones operational, the commander of the Ground Forces of the IslamicRepublic Army said.

Speaking to IRNA on Saturday, Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari said duringthe recent military drills, which were held in Isfahan on January 25-26,the Islamic Republic of Iran Army’s Ground Force unveiled its newcapabilities.

He added that new capabilities have been added to helicopters and artilleryunits.

The Army’s Ground Force has always followed up reinforcing defense powerand will spare no effort in that case, he noted.

Armored units, artillery, rapid response, mechanized Infantry, martialengineering, telecommunications, and airborne, UAVs and Airborne units,with the support of the Islamic Republic Army’s Air Force fighters, hadparticipated in the “Authority- 97” exercise.

In the first stage of the exercise, after reconnaissance of UAVs andairborne helicopters, the 55th Airborne Brigade and the rapid reactionBrigade 25 fully-equipped entered the region with helicopters, and inaddition to identification, they cleared and destroyed the enemy’selements, equipment and fortifications.

The Final stage of the Iranian Army Ground Force drills, dubbed as’Eghtedar-e- 97′ (Authority- 97), started in the central province ofIsfahan on Saturday.

The event was held with the attendance of the Commander-in-Chief of theIslamic Republic Army, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi.

The drills started on Friday.

‘Eghtedar-e- 97′ Spokesman Brigadier General Nouzar Nemati earlier saidportable and stable artilleries targeted enemies’ positions in 10-30 kmdistances with precision-guided and intelligent shells.