Iran Navy uses submarine-launched drones: Cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Sat Feb 23, 2013 3:48PM GMT

Iran Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's naval forces are equipped with submarine-launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with different flying ranges.

The commander said on Sunday that the Navy drones are capable of carrying out defensive, offensive and reconnaissance missions and can be used anywhere deemed necessary.

"The Navy makes good use of its UAVs proportional to the assigned missions," he added.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

Iran unveiled its first indigenous long-range drone, Karrar, in August 2010.

The aircraft is capable of carrying a military payload of rockets to conduct bombing missions against ground targets, flying long distances at a high speed, and gathering information.

In September 2012, the country also unveiled a new indigenous UAV, Shahed 129, with a 24-hour nonstop flight capability.

In December 2012, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said Iran had also launched a production line for the manufacture of ScanEagle-type drones.

Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Mohammad Eslami said in early February that the country will unveil its latest long-range drone in May.

Tehran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military might poses no threat to other states, insisting that the Islamic Republic's defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

PG/SS/SL