Commander: Iran’s Ground Force Expanding Drone Fleet

“The Ground Force has set up a drone group and we are trying to become equipped with different tactics and technics, used by the world’s advanced drone units, in the current (Iranian) year (started on March 21),” General Heidari told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Wednesday.

“We have plans to prepare the drones for night and long-range operations and increase their durability for operations and we are now expanding the drone unit across the country,” he added.

General Heidari also announced plans to launch four production lines of the needed strategic and major defense parts in the current Iranian year to meet the country’s arms and equipment requirements.

In relevant remarks in September, Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ahmadreza Pourdastan underlined the high capabilities of Iran-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and said his forces were using drones for conducting missions in remote regions.

“When the Ground Force wants to make any activity in remote areas, it prepares its drones for that mission,” Pourdastan said, addressing army commanders and personnel in Tehran.

He underscored the necessity for the further enhancement of the capabilities of the Iran-made drones to be used in sensitive situations, and said, “Today, the drones are the discerning eyes and long arms of the Ground Force and they have been able to act successfully in their missions and in wargames.”