TEHRAN: Iran’s domestically-produced Karrar drone, equipped with radar capabilities, has effectively deterred US military aircraft and foreign fighter jets from entering Iranian airspace by flying at exceptionally high altitudes, a senior Iranian military official has revealed.
Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, disclosed in an interview with Tasnim news agency that the Karrar drone has been outfitted with a radar system.
Elhami further highlighted the Air Defense Force’s development of advanced data acquisition, electronic warfare systems, optical systems, and combat field reconnaissance systems that are integrated into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of various ranges and functionalities.
The general emphasized that the Karrar drone has, on multiple occasions, compelled foreign military aircraft, both manned and unmanned, to alter their flight paths when approaching Iran’s coastal waters or its designated flight information region (FIR) by flying at high altitudes.
Capabilities of Iran’s Domestically-Produced Karrar Drone
Karrar holds the distinction of being the first Iranian military drone to establish a service ceiling record by reaching an impressive altitude of 47,000 feet. Elhami added that the drone issues radar and radio warnings to foreign aircraft that venture too close to Iran’s airspace.
Elhami shared that some foreign aircraft have sought to test Iran’s capabilities by modifying their altitudes, but the Karrar drone, powered by an entirely domestic engine, consistently maintained its position above them.
The commander noted that Karrar has successfully deterred a variety of foreign aircraft, including an American P-8 reconnaissance aircraft, a US RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, and several fighter jets from other nations, effectively preventing them from breaching Iranian airspace.
The Karrar drone is classified as an advanced interceptor UAV and is part of Iran’s new generation of jet drones designed for intercepting enemy aerial threats. It significantly enhances the Iranian armed forces’ ability to conduct a broader range of air defense operations, particularly at high altitudes.
In 2018, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, emphasized the critical role of the air defense base as a frontline defense against Iran’s adversaries. He stressed the importance of accelerating the base’s capabilities and fostering the skills of the Air Force personnel.
