Iran Starts Mass Production of Advanced Home-Made Combat Drone
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari officially inaugurated the production line of the advanced indigenous ‘Shahed 129’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a special ceremony held on Friday.
“The technology used in Shahed 129, which has been designed and produced by the IRGC aerospace force, is at the level of the world’s modern technology,” Major General Jafari said about the newly mass-produced drone on Friday, adding that the drone will "stun world powers".
Last year, the IRGC had unveiled the reconnaissance version of Shahed 129, whereas the home-made aircraft with combat capabilities came on stream today.
Once refueled, the new domestically-made drone has 24-hour flight endurance and can be used for various missions.
The drone can be used in fight against drug-traffickers and terrorists, patrol and reconnaissance missions along the country’s territorial and sea borders, environmental operations and for taking aerial images.
The home-made aircraft enjoys high precision strike capability and has an operational range of 1,700 km.
Shahed 129 with combat capabilities can also carry a payload of 8 bombs or smart missiles and is designed to hit both fixed and mobile targets.
It is able to fly at an altitude of 24,000 feet and stay in connection with mobile ground bases, and can use any airport for landing.
“Such intelligent, precise and inexpensive technology can facilitate the work of thousands of soldiers, stations and different structures engaged in border security,” the IRGC commander noted.
