Iran makes headway in drone production, says export of defense equipment up by 5 times
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani says the country’s export of military equipment has witnessed a significant rise over the past years.
Ashtiani made the announcement on the sidelines of the Iranian administration’s weekly cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran on Wednesday as he pointed to the Islamic Republic’s “remarkable progress” in the field of defense industry and expansion of military cooperation with the regional countries and beyond.
Referring to Iran’s military relations with Russia, Turkey and other countries, Ashtiani underscored the country’s very large capacities in manufacturing airplanes and overhauling aircraft.
“The export of defense products has also increased by about four to five times compared to the last two years, and it will increase in the future following innovations that are being made and the weapons that we are seeking to manufacture,” the Iranian defense minister said.
Drone engines
“We have achieved self-sufficiency in the field of making drone engines and we are trying to reach higher levels in manufacturing heavier engines,” he added.
Naval forces from Iran, Russia and China have started a joint exercise in the Sea of Oman.
Underlining the Islamic Republic’s special standing across the world in terms of defense power, Ashtiani said, “On the path to localization, we have reached a stage where we have domestically produced the bulk of equipment needed by the Armed Forces, which has led to our defense power and resulted in the consolidation of the country’s national security.”
The defense minister also announced Iran’s plan to make “good progress” in the field of space in the next Iranian calendar year starting on March 20, 2024.
Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.
Iranian officials have underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, which are entirely meant for defense and deterrence, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never open to negotiations.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has on several occasions called for efforts to boost Iran’s defense capabilities.
