Iran’s armed forces will on Wednesday launch large scale drone drillsacross the country involving 150 unmanned aerial vehicles to show off its”power”, state media reported Tuesday.
“The accuracy and power of weapons… the capabilities of guidance andcontrol systems and the combat capabilities of drones are among the thingsthat will be tested and evaluated in this exercise,” deputy coordinator ofthe armed forces Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told the state broadcaster.
“This is the first time that a joint drone exercise is conducted at thelevel of the four forces of the Islamic republic of Iran’s army and thecountry’s joint air defence base,” Sayyari added.
No details were given as to how long the exercises would last.
Iran started developing drones in the 1980s during its eight-year war withIraq.
“This is only a part of the drone power of… Iran’s army, which iscarrying out operations in various reconnaissance, surveillance and combatmissions,” Sayyari added.
The drills will take place “from the warm waters of the Gulf and the Sea ofOman in the south, to the eastern, western, northern and central parts ofthe country,” he said.
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Iran’s army unveiled its first division of ships and submarines capable ofcarrying armed drones in July when US President Joe Biden was touring theMiddle East.
In May, state television broadcast footage of an air base for drones underthe Zagros mountain range in the west of the country.
The United States and Israel, arch-enemies of Iran, have previously accusedTehran of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linkedships in the Gulf.
Washington said in July that Iran plans to deliver “hundreds of drones” toRussia to aid its war on Ukraine, an accusation Tehran dismissed as”baseless”. -APP/AFP
