On Wednesday, August 24, Iran’s armed forces announced a major nationwide exercise featuring a fleet of 150 unmanned aerial vehicles. The announcement came through the Iranian news agency IRNA, signaling a coordinated test across multiple military theaters and command centers. The event is described as a comprehensive assessment of drone performance, control networks, and operational readiness, with the goal of enhancing real time coordination among units and verifying the endurance, targeting accuracy, and response times of current and future unmanned systems.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, who serves as the deputy coordinator of the Islamic Republic’s army, stated that the drills will unfold across the country and will involve all four branches of the Iranian armed forces. His briefing emphasized that the exercise would stress the integration of air, land, sea, and cyber capabilities, ensuring the drones can operate seamlessly within joint combat formations under a wide range of weather and terrain conditions. He also highlighted the role of precise navigation, reliable data links, and robust command and control architectures as pivotal components of the drills.
Sayyari added that the program aims to measure the accuracy and power of weapons released from unmanned platforms, evaluate flight stability and maneuverability, test guidance and control systems under stress, and demonstrate the drones’ overall combat potential in a controlled environment. The exercise planners expect to demonstrate rapid decision making, efficient mission planning, and resilient communication links that persist in contested environments where electronic warfare and degraded GPS could challenge operations.
In related developments, Iran has reportedly advanced its unmanned capabilities by beginning the production of the Ababil-2 drone in Tajikistan. The platform is described as capable of sustained missions lasting up to 1.5 hours, with a stated range of up to 200 kilometers. Beyond reconnaissance and surveillance, the Ababil-2 is also presented as a candidate for precision strike roles through guided munitions, signaling an emphasis on multi-mission unmanned platforms in Iran’s broader defense posture.
Earlier reporting noted a significant incident in May 2022 involving an alleged attack on an Iranian military complex near Parchin, a site known for drone and missile development. The incident raised questions about vulnerabilities and security in sensitive facilities, and Iranian authorities asserted that the event highlighted the need for reinforced protection and rapid response capabilities across strategic industrial sites.
Additionally, Iran has publicly showcased a subterranean drone base beneath the Zagros mountain range. The facility is described as housing a large inventory of unmanned aircraft within tunnel networks and includes underground storage for cruise missiles. The revelation underscores a strategic preference for protected, dispersed basing to mitigate aerial bombardment risks and to maintain a ready force capable of sustained operations in varied theaters.