The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force started massive wargames in the Southeastern parts of Iran on Tuesday morning, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
The drills started in the presence of Head of the Services and Joint Affairs of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, IRGC Lieutenant Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Ali Shadmani, IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour and other commanders and experts in Saravan region in Sistan and Balouchestan province.
The massive security exercises dubbed as “Payambar A'zam” (the Great Prophet) (PBUH)' will continue until Thursday.
During the drills, the IRGC Ground Force troops will exercise hostage release through heliborne operations, parachute operations and destroy enemy targets through concentrated Katyusha fire.
In the first hours of the wargames on Tuesday, three helicopters of the IRGC Air Force targeted simulated enemy positions and destroyed them.
Furthermore, the IRGC Ground Force used Iran’s new reconnaissance and combat drone, “Hamaseh” (Epic), during the wargames.
In addition to Hamaseh, other home-made drones, including Mohajer, Ababil and Shahed also flew over the drills zone Tuesday.
It was the first time for Hamaseh (photo) to be used in military exercises. The drone was unveiled in 2013 and can carry out simultaneous protection, reconnaissance and attacking missions.
The drone is equipped with the latest Iran-made missiles and bombs. High flight duration and altitude are among its main features.
Last month, the IRGC staged major ballistic missile exercises. Called “Eqtedar-e Velayat”, the command, tactical and special exercises were conducted in the presence of IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari as well as Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
The exercises were meant to test advanced missile defense systems as well as showcase the deterrence power and the clout of the IRGC forces in defending the country’s territorial integrity against foreign threats.
The drills were held in different geographical locations, using ballistic missiles fired from silos in Central Iran and mountain ranges in the North.
