TEHRAN: Iran has expanded its air defense capabilities with the introduction of combat drones armed with air-to-air missiles, according to state media reports on Sunday.
The official IRNA news agency announced that dozens of Karrar drones equipped with air-to-air missiles have been deployed to enhance air defense.
During a televised ceremony organized at a military academy in Tehran, the drones were showcased, revealing their operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). The move is part of Iran’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its military capabilities, presenting a new challenge to potential adversaries.
“The enemies will now have to rethink their strategies” as Iranian forces have become more powerful, stated General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s army, as reported by IRNA. The Karrar interceptor drone, initially unveiled in 2010, now features a “Majid” thermal missile with a range of eight kilometers (five miles), developed entirely within Iran.
Iran Strengthening Air Defense
These developments come as a response to increasing geopolitical tensions and are aimed at bolstering Iran’s defense capabilities. General Mousavi highlighted the successful operational tests of the drones during military exercises held in October.
Iran has been actively investing in drone technology since the 1980s, particularly during its eight-year war with Iraq.
