Iran’s kamikaze, combat drones destroy all targets during drill

The spokesman of the Iranian Army’s joint exercise says homegrown kamikaze and combat drones have successfully hit all their targets during the maneuver.

According to Press TV, Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh said on Wednesday that the anti-radar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Omid detected its target in the drill that is being held in seven border provinces by four divisions of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.

Also, the Arash kamikaze drone successfully annihilated land and sea targets, he added.

Brigadier General Sheikh described the use of smart bombs as one of the main features of the exercise.

“During the drill, kamikaze and combat drone systems were able to hit all predicted targets in a pinpointed manner using smart ammunition,” he said.

Among other tasks were “implementing a pre-planned flight scenario, striking specified targets …, using bombs and missiles installed on drones, signal gathering and using optical payloads.”

The drill saw the mass flight of UAVs from various ground, underground and sea bases to carry out operations which were unprecedented in scope. 

"The ability of mass flights using artificial intelligence is one of the innovative measures in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army's operation of drones," he said.

Meanwhile, in an aerial battle, a drone targeted another with a missile and destroyed it, Commander of Air Defense Force Brig. Gen. Alireza Sabahifard said.

“Only one or two countries have the ability to carry out this very complex and advanced operation, which of course they have not displayed yet. 

“However, we in the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran showcased this ability to the world and announced that we were able to do it at the height of the cruel and unmanly sanctions against the Islamic nation of Iran,” he said.

“This great and extraordinary feat from the scientific, technical and operational point of view is the result of a one-year effort of my dear comrades in the powerful Air Defense Force of the Army and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. I congratulate the honorable people of Islamic Iran on this achievement,” he added.

‘12 different drone types will be tested’

In separate remarks, the spokesman said that nearly 200 drones of 12 different kamikaze and combat types will be tested during the maneuver.

The Ababil-5 drone performed a surveillance operation and the Karrar carried out interception and destruction tasks on the first day of the drill, General Sheikh added.

Additionally, he said, the exercise featured the unveiling of Kaman-19 drone with air-based electronic warfare capability.

Arash and Karrar drones are expected to fly from different parts of the country and land at a specific location and time as part of tests to gauge their ability to bypass electronic warfare  nets and defense barriers, he said. 

ME