Armed drones are changing the shape of wars. The trend began in Ukraine and has now reached massive volumes in the war Israel is conducting against the Hezbollah in Lebanon, a major Iranian proxy.
With no effective air force , the Iranians have built a big UAV industry to have another way of hitting targets in Israel and the Gulf. According to Tal Inbar, an Israeli senior expert on UAVs, the Iranians have built a very big and advanced UAV industry. Iran is reportedly sending drones to Russia, with Israeli experts saying that the shipments include hundreds of different types of UAVs.
According to Israeli sources, the Iranian UAV industry was developed using imported parts that were bought in various nations by a number of “straw” companies. This was done to bypass international sanctions. Among the advanced armed UAVs that Iran has unveiled recently is the Ababil 5. “This UAV is about 5 meters long and has a wingspan of 7 meters,” said Inbar.
According to the Israeli expert, UAVs frequently rely on civilian components that can be obtained even online, unlike the heavy industry required to produce armored platforms and ballistic missiles. Some of the Iranian UAVs have been manufactured based on reverse engineering of American and Israeli drones that were shot down in Iranian airspace.
The Iranian UAV industry is expanding to other countries. In May, 2017, the Iranian press reported on the inauguration ceremony of a UAV factory that was established In Tajikistan.
Israeli defence sources said that the plant is currently producing older models of the Iranian Ababail UAV. On May 28, 2022, Iran unveiled an underground UAV base, at an undisclosed location. Among various types of drones and munitions, a new, small, air launched cruise missile was also observed. The new cruise missile is carried by an Iranian copy of the U.S Predator UAV made by GA-ASI.
In a recent development, Teheran built an assembly line for UAVs in Russia. after supplying large numbers of armed UAVs to Russia that are being used in Ukraine, According to a report in the Teheran Times, the Iranian production site in Tajikistan is now producing the Ababil -2 UAV. According to the report, Iran’s cooperation with Tajikistan can serve as a model for West Asia if they abandon their subordination to the U.S. and live in a “fearless world.”
The regional development effort has already been impacted by Iran’s new strategy on armament production. A senior Iranian military official said that his nation has developed a long-range suicide drone that could hit a significant number of Israeli cities along the Mediterranean coast. Some of these armed drones are launched by the Houthi rebels in Yeman, another very active proxy, to hit civilian targets in Israel.
Raz Zimmet, an Israeli expert on Iranian issues, said that the production of military drones makes Iran a regional power. The U.S and Israel are closely following the increasing capabilities of the Iranian UAV industry, which has been boosted in recent months by the money paid by Moscow for the armed UAVs used in Ukraine.
Malaysian defense company, Deftech, displayed a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intheir booth during the DSA 2022 expo. The…
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1…
Cargojet has entered into a five-year strategic agreement with DHL, with a renewal option for an additional two years, to…
The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPNM Malaysia for collaboration and training of faculty…
Meopta is displaying a wide range of military-grade optical gun sights, scopes, and night vision equipment at the Defense Services…
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s G7 Aerospace at DSA 2022 event on Monday (Mar. 28), Infoglobal…
Insight Atlantic, a Malaysian defense equipment supplier, is displaying a range of made-in Germany, Lowa tactical footwear in its booth…
PAL Aerospace and Thales have signed an agreement to jointly develop the next generation of mission system during the DSA…
Airod Techno Power (ATP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell International to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) has signed an MoU with Nexter on the third day of the DSA 2022 event, Wednesday…
In a public announcement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Wednesday (Mar. 30), there have been 54…
Sikorsky and Boeing on Thursday announced six new members, including Magnaghi Aeronautica and Collins Aerospace, of Team DEFIANT. The suppliers…
MA Group will provide the fully integrated landing gear system for the DEFIANT X helicopter, consisting of the nose and…
After spending about US$7.4 million on the project, the Australian government has cancelled its Project Air 7003, a program that…
AerCap has signed lease agreements for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo aircraft with ITA Airways.…
A routine service test for an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on April 1 has ended with a surprising result. …
Malaysia-based DefTech and Iveco Defence Vehicles are joining hands to establish an authorised MRO centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks…
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has begun the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned…
FL Technics has launched a dedicated business line for wheels and brakes maintenance and opened a specialized shop at the…
ScioTeq has launched RDU-4208 LAD, its new full redundant Large Area Display (LAD) that can be deployed in new cockpits…
Etihad Airways, on March 31st., 2022, unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from…
RGA-Black Stone Airlines, a newcomer in the Indonesian aviation business, officially started its business in the country after having its…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impeccable Vintage Properties…
Honeywell has signed separate MOUs with Malaysian firms Airod Techno Power (ATP) and Galaxy Aerospace that will further strengthen the…
AirAsia has announced that it will resume international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand. Flights are now available from…
Embraer and the Brazilian Army have inked a contract to develop and implement Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially inducted two Turkish-made T129B ATAK attack helicopters and an Airbus Defense and Space C-295…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project. Operations will…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) S26T submarine acquisition project from China is at risk of cancellation due to Germany’s refusal…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.