Iran’s drone export ‘impervious’ to pressures; foreign demand growing fast: Defense official

A senior Iranian commander says heavy pressures on the country to impose restrictions on its export of technology and drone capabilities will no longer have any effect.

Head of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Brigadier General Afshin Khajeh Fard said on Friday that despite severe restrictions, many countries are keen to import Iran’s technology and drone capabilities.

“Iranian-made drones play a vital role in ensuring security and border protection in many countries,” he told ISNA.

He added that Iran’s Armed Forces have carried out decades of scientific and specialized work and developed the country’s drone capabilities.

The forces have drawn up “a good strategic plan” to use drones to defend the country, the commander emphasized.

Khajeh Fard further elaborated on Iran’s Defense Ministry’s plans for manufacturing and equipping helicopters belonging to the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

"Preparing and manufacturing combat helicopters are on the agenda. We have made good progress in operationalizing the existing helicopters of the Army Navy and the IRGC through good cooperation with these forces," he said.

He noted that the IAIO is working on the production of combat helicopters but it will take at least extra 4-5 years.

“Currently, the manufacturing of combat helicopters is in the design phase,” the commander said.

The IRGC has recently unveiled a super-heavy drone, named Gaza, and the “Rezvan” new type of suicide drone as the military unit continues to upgrade its cutting-edge warfare technology.

The Gaza drone has a wingspan of 22 meters and a takeoff weight of 3,100 kilograms. It has a flight endurance of 35 hours and a flight speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

The loitering Rezvan drone has a range of 20 kilometers and a 20-minute flight endurance.

In a related development, the Army has announced that it is set to take delivery of 1,000 strategic drones designed and produced by the force and the support of the Defense Ministry.

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