Iran to Deploy New Drones in Upcoming Wargames
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Army Ground Force will make use of its newest Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) during forthcoming military drills, a senior commander announced.
Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari told reporters on Saturday that the Army will employ its latest combat and suicide drones during Qamar-e bani-Hashem military exercises.
His comments came after Commander of Iran’s Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan unveiled the force's latest Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, dubbed ‘Yasir’.
According to the senior commander, Yasir, which enjoys high flight capability, is now locally mass produced.
On the same day, Pourdastan told reporters that his forces have managed to produce a new type of suicide drone, dubbed Ra’d 85 (Thunder 85).
“This drone is like a mobile bomb, and is capable of destroying fixed and mobile targets,” the commander added.
He also noted that the new suicide drone which has been manufactured in various sizes, can even be used to target the enemy helicopters.
General Heidari said the upcoming drills will test the newly-developed drones’ unique capabilities in action, so that the army experts can modify some of its features for the next wargames, if needed.
Iran’s Army ground force is set to stage massive military drills, called Qamar-e bani-Hashem, which are to be carried out in southeastern Iran in an area of 250,000 square kilometers.
The wargames will take place in the month of Aban in the Iranian calendar (October 23 - November 21, 2013).
Brigadier General Pourdastan had announced earlier that the forthcoming military exercises also aim to test the potentials and capabilities of the armored units and airborne division of the ground force, adding that the most recent achievements will become operational in “ground defense” sphere during the event.
