It looks like the arms race has just heated up over in the Middle East, as Iran has just revealed their very first indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that comes complete with air defense missiles, making it ideal to get involved in aerial combats as and when required. At the inauguration ceremony, Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami mentioned that this combat drone has undergone successful operational tests as it managed to take down predetermined targets, and is ready to rock and roll alongside Iran’s armed forces.
Apart from that, this new drone is touted to feature an increased operational range of the armed forces’ drones as well as their capability to track, chase, intercept and destroy intruding aircraft. Hatami mentioned, “The drone is capable of destroying various flying aircraft including fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.”
This is in addition to the unveiling of another pair of unmanned aerial vehicles known as the Karrar-4 and Mohajer-4 last month, with the former being able to trace intruding aircraft as well as sporting different air defense capabilities that can function at high altitudes. As for the Mohajer-4, this happens to be a photogrammetric drone that can carry out aerial mapping, catering for military and civilian purposes. These won’t by flying over the Yellowstone National Park anytime soon for sure.