The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran began a two-day joint drone exercise on Wednesday morning.

The exercise is held nationwide with participation of multiple forces of the Iranian army with over 150 drones involved.

Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the drills begin simultaneous with the National Government Week participated by all the four branches of the Iranian Army, IRNA reported.

Sayyari added that drones made by the Army, the Defense Ministry would be tested in the drills, some of which are made with cooperation of knowledge-based companies.

The accuracy and power of weapons, the degree of flight continuity, the capabilities of guidance and control systems, and the combat capabilities of drones are among the things that are evaluated in this exercise, he noted.

Meanwhile, Senior Advisor to the Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force said that the seventh round of the international UAV competitions started with the participation of four countries in Kashan, center of Iran.

Brigadier General Ali Balali said that teams from Iran, Russia, Belarus and Armenia are participating in the competitions, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has one team in this event.

More than 70 soldiers from the abovementioned countries will compete in five stages of physical fitness and shooting and four drone competitions, including aerial reconnaissance in three days, air support and fire adjustment, reconnaissance at night and continuous reconnaissance, he added.

Earlier this week, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh lauded his country’s progress in production of different types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and said that Tehran has become self-sufficient in drone industry and turned to an exporter.

Brigadier General Hajizadeh stated that Iran used to import everything such as barbed wire but it is now exporting drones.

“There is no doubt that Iran has reached this point through linking the knowledge-based companies, universities and elites together,” he added.

The military official noted that in the aerospace sector, Iran initially made investment in research work in order to remove obstacles on its way toward progress, saying that this gave Iran air superiority.

In May 2022, Iran showed off an underground drone base where a range of advanced drones were housed and operated for potential combat and other missions.

During his visit, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri underscored that the pilotless aircraft have enhanced Iran’s deterrence power.

He underlined the significance of drones in defending the country’s interests, and added that they have found a special place in different defensive, offensive, land, sea, air and air defense areas.