Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and Tajik Defense Minister General Sherali Mirzo inaugurated a plant in Tajikistan to manufacture Iran-made Ababil 2 drones in the Central Asian country.
The Ababil 2 UAV production plant was inaugurated in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Tuesday.
In order to strengthen and develop joint defense and military cooperation between the two countries, the plant was inaugurated in the presence of a group of Iranian and Tajik officials, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
Addressing the ceremony, General Baqeri said that the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the efforts of its committed specialists and scientists and by using its internal capacities, has been able to make a significant growth in all military and defense dimensions, especially production of drones.
“Today we are in a position that we can export military equipment to allied and friendly countries in addition to meeting domestic needs in order to increase security and lasting peace,” he said.
General Baqeri described the opening of the Ababil 2 plant in Tajikistan a turning point in military cooperation between the two countries, and said: “God willing, in the future we will see more cooperation and interaction than all military defense levels between Iran and Tajikistan.”
At the end of the ceremony, a symbolic key for the opening of the plant (photo) and the certificate for completion of the training course was awarded to the Commander and Staff of the Tajik Air Force.
General Baqeri also met with Head of Tajikistan’s State Committee for National Security Saimumin Yatimov on mutual cooperation on security and border issues.
Strengthening the defense and military capabilities in order to increase cooperation in the common borders, as well as issues and developments in the region and Afghanistan were the most important topics of his talks.
The two sides emphasized continued interactions, consultations and specialized meetings on regional and mutual issues.
The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces who visited Dushanbe at the head of a delegation was officially welcomed by Tajik Defense Minister General Sherali Mirzo on Monday before sitting for talks on the two countries’ relations in various fields.
Both parties underlined the need for widening cooperation in fight against terrorism in West Asia, establishment of security at border areas, joint military drills and expansion of military equipment. The two top Generals also discussed regional cooperation, focusing on Afghanistan.
During his stay in Dushanbe, the Iranian guest is scheduled to meet with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and also visit the country’s military and scientific centers.
