TEHRAN - The Iranian Army has utilized a new domestically-made drone called Kaman-19 in a military exercise taking place across the country. 

General Alireza Sheikh, the spokesman for the drill, stated that the Kaman-19 drone has conducted combat sorties for the first time, after joining the war games. The high-technology drone has so far been involved in electronic warfare and aerial radar jamming operations.

The army drone drill, which involves around 200 unmanned aircraft, began on Tuesday morning with troops from four Army units participating. It includes electronic warfare units practicing various tactics. 

The purpose of the exercise is to promote “peace and friendship” among regional countries, the spokesman added, emphasizing the importance of unity and joint action for security without the presence of external forces. 

Earlier, commander of the war game Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari confirmed the drill is taking place across the country from the waters of the Persian Gulf to Iran’s northern regions.

The army is outing to use various homegrown drones for border control, including Chamrosh, Yasir, Sadeq, Pelican, Ababil, Kaman-12, Yazdan, and Mohajer. The Army has also established the Zolfaqar headquarters as a command and control center for drone operations to coordinate flights within a single network. 

Iran has made significant advancements in the drone industry in recent years. Last week a top commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said Iran has turned into a role model in the manufacturing of drones. Dozens of countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa have reportedly become customers of the Iranian-made weapons. 

MHA/PA