TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Iran on Friday displayed a home-built combat drone with a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles), naming it “Gaza” in honor of the Palestinians’ struggle against the occupying regime of Israel.
Iran has developed a powerful missile and drone capability for deterrence and retaliation against its adversaries in the event of any aggression.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the new drone is capable of flying for 35 hours and carrying 13 bombs and 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of electronics equipment.
IRGC commander Major General Hussein Salami said the new drone is named “Gaza” in honor “of those in that land who stand today against the invasion and aggression of the Zionists”.
Leaders of Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have frequently praised Iran’s support.
After joining the IRCG Aerospace Division’s drone fleet, the new drone will improve the force’s intelligence command and capability to counter threats.
In addition to military and defense applications, the drone can also carry out missions in monitoring forests, rescue operations and providing assistance in natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
The IRGC also unveiled a domestically-manufactured surface-to-air missile system, named the 9th of Dey, with the capability to confront and destroy various threats such as cruise missiles, aircraft bombs, and different drones.
The Qods radar system has the capability to be deployed in a position and moved quickly.
Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great progress in indigenously developing and manufacturing a broad range of equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in this regard.
Officials have repeatedly underscored that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to build up its defense capabilities, emphasizing such abilities are entirely meant for the purpose of defense and will be never subject to negotiations.
Last month, the Iranian Army Ground Force unveiled seven domestically-developed high-tech military achievements, including air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electronic warfare devices.
The IRGC in November unveiled a smart automated system which can launch multiple long-range ballistic missiles consecutively.