TEHRAN – The commander of the Iranian Army Aviation says his unit possesses the most formidable helicopter fleet in Asia, showcasing unwavering resilience despite navigating through challenging sanctions.

Brigadier General Yousef Ghorbani highlighted the exceptional skill and dedication of Army Aviation specialists and engineers, ensuring the operational readiness of helicopters and preparing pilots for upcoming missions.

He emphasized the remarkable combat readiness of Iran's Army Aviation helicopters, revealing an impressive 7% superiority over the established global standard. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as, despite facing sanctions, these helicopters maintain an outstanding 82% readiness, surpassing the 75% benchmark set by advanced countries with non-sanctioned helicopter production.

Providing a deeper insight into the equivalent capabilities of Iranian Army Aviation helicopters compared to their global counterparts, Ghorbani detailed the success of a post-Islamic Revolution initiative. “This groundbreaking effort resulted in the manufacturing and installation of 852 types of components, significantly enhancing the overall capabilities of the helicopter fleet,” he further noted.

Delving into the advanced technology employed, the top commander shed light on the cutting-edge features of the aviation unit's helicopters, notably emphasizing the superiority of their night vision systems. According to Ghorbani, these state-of-the-art technologies, especially the night vision systems designed for helicopters, surpass the operational range of other existing systems, showcasing Iran's commitment to technological advancement.

The top commander concluded by emphasizing a significant operational shift in Army Aviation helicopters. “They have transitioned from statically firing missiles to employing Fire & Forget technology, aligning with global standards for effective operations against electronic warfare, radar interference, and laser interference,” he commented.

In recent years, Iranian military experts and engineers have achieved remarkable breakthroughs, developing a diverse range of indigenous equipment that renders the armed forces self-sufficient. The clear stance of Iranian officials emphasizes the nation's commitment to strengthening its military capabilities, including missile power, strictly for defensive purposes. Iran staunchly asserts that its defense capabilities will never be open for negotiations.