TEHRAN- During extensive military drills in the central province of Isfahan, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Force’s assault helicopter successfully test-launched the country’s indigenously built Haydar air-to-ground missile.

A Bell 214 helicopter of the army fired the missile on Saturday, the second day of the extensive exercises, codenamed Eghtedar (Authority) 1402, which were taking place in the province’s Nasrabad district.

It hit the specified target perfectly from a distance of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) away and utterly destroyed it.

According to reports, the Haydar missile is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS), which gives the pilot total control over the projectile and allows it to fly in the direction of the target.

Its length is said to be 3.83 meters, and its weight is around 40 kg. Within tens of kilometers, the air-to-ground missile can kill both fixed and mobile targets. It can carry a 20-kilogram payload.

The enemy’s concrete bunkers and armored forces will be destroyed by the Haydar missile because of its enormous destructive capability.

Additionally, native Qaem-5 bombs were dropped by Ababil-4 multirole tactical unmanned aerial vehicles on fictitious enemy positions, striking specific locations at a distance of 7 kilometers away.

Qaem-5 smart glide bomb comes with an infrared seeker mode that enables it to engage with various fixed and mobile targets both at night and day, and in adverse weather conditions.

The Iranian military conducts regular drills in different regions of the nation in accordance with a set timetable to test their weapons and gear and assess their readiness for conflict.

Iranian authorities have made it clear time and time again that Iran would never negotiate on its defense capabilities and will never hesitate to bolster its military might, particularly its missile capacity, which is only intended for defense.

“Army fully prepared for war in face of threats” 

On the sidelines of the second day of the military drill on Sunday, Army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi praised the nation’s defense capabilities while emphasizing that the Islamic Republic is fully prepared for war and defense to counter any possible danger.

Expressing the Army’s readiness to confront threats, Mousavi said the Army Aviation, with the preparation and formation of more than 200 helicopters during Eghtedar 1402 military drills, successfully carried out numerous flight missions in both combat and combat support fields in day and night.

Mousavi emphasized that the aforementioned capabilities, as well as the precise delivery of soldiers by helicopter in various areas, presaged a leap and development in the fleet’s capabilities in West Asia.

The commander described his evaluation of the drills as positive and said the Army plans and organizes several exercises in accordance with its schedule to improve training and defense and combat preparations throughout the year.

“Eghtedar 1402 military drills by the Army’s Ground Force have been conducted with the aim of evaluating the level of training and reviewing the points of weakness and strength, and finally developing and promoting the country's defense and combat power in the face of forthcoming threats,” Mousavi noted.

The two-day exercises included airborne and ground transfers of combat units, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance missions involving unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic and detecting equipment.

The drills also featured aerial and offensive operations aiming at eliminating the targets of the mock enemy.