The ongoing Ukraine war has helped Iran build a very advanced UAV industry. The country is also ready to supply its armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to any country that is opposed to the West. Since the war broke out...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
The ongoing Ukraine war has helped Iran build a very advanced UAV industry. The country is also ready to supply its armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to any country that is opposed to the West.
Since the war broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, the Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen have used a large number of armed UAVs to attack targets in Israel. The massive use has forced Israel to make changes in its air defence systems.
Iranian UAV production sites are included in the "target bank " Israel has prepared for any future attack on the Iranian nuclear sites. This will reduce Iran's capabilities to make long range weapon systems that have proved their effectiveness in the ongoing war.
With no effective air force , the Iranians have built a sizable and growing UAV industry to have another way of hitting targets in Israel and the Gulf. The country is supplying UAVs to Russia. Israeli experts told GBP that the shipments include hundreds of different types of UAVs
Iran has built a very big and advanced UAV industry, said Tal Inbar, an Israeli senior expert on UAVs.
According to Israeli sources, the Iranian UAV industry was developed using imported parts that were bought in from various nations by a number of straw companies. This strategy helped it bypass international sanctions.
"They have developed some advanced armed UAVs that have been unveiled recently" said Inbar. "The Ababil 5 is a UAV that is about 5 meters long and has a wingspan of 7 meters."
According to the Israeli expert, production of UAVs rely on civilian components that can be obtained even online, unlike the heavy industry required to produce armored platforms and ballistic missiles. As a result, it did not take long for the Iranian UAV industry to expand. Some of the Iranian UAV's have been manufactured based on reverse engineering of American and Israeli UAVs that have been shot down in Iranian airspace .
There are reports that the Iranian UAV industry is spreading to other countries. In May, 2017, the Iranian press reported on the inauguration ceremony of a UAV factory that was established In Tajikistan. Israeli defence sources said that this plant is currently producing older models of the Iranian Ababail UAV.
On May 28, 2022, Iran unveiled an underground UAV base, at an undisclosed location Among various types of drones and munitions, a new, small, air launched cruise missile was also observed. The new cruise missile is carried by an Iranian copy of the U.S Predator UAV.
According to international media, Israel is fighting a battle against the spread of Iranian UAVs and missiles. This is accomplished by bombing Iranian UAV sites as well as the shipments bound for Lebanon, where Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, would use them.
Israel is constantly monitoring Iran's efforts to set up UAV factories in other nations in order to get around international sanctions. The U.S. receives this data on an ongoing basis. After supplying large numbers of armed UAVs to Russia that are being used in Ukraine, Teheran is reportedly negotiating the establishment of a factory in Russia. Different sources say that the shipments of UAVs from Iran to Venezuela have been followed by local "assembly" sites.
Dr. Moredchai Kedar, an Israeli expert on Middle East issues, said that the Iranians are continuing to build what he calls a terror empire. "The international sanctions do not allow them to export weapon systems. So they have decided to establish assembly and production lines in different countries. They send their experts and they use available technologies to manufacture weapons that Teheran then exports to its allies around the world."
Some of the weapon systems used by the Houthis in Yemen are being assembled in the country. This local operation began with simple items like land mines, but in recent months, the scope of local assembly and some production have increased.
According to a report in the Teheran Times, the Iranian production site in Tajikistan is now producing the Ababil -2 UAV. According to the Iranian newspaper, Iran's cooperation with Tajikistan can serve as a model for West Asia if they abandon their subordination to the U.S. and live in a "fearless world."
Raz Zimmet, an Israeli expert on Iranian issues, said that the weapon production makes Iran a regional power. The U.S and Israel are closely following the increasing capabilities of the Iranian UAV industry that has been boosted in recent months by the money paid by Moscow for the armed UAVs used in Ukraine. It can be expected that Israel, epecailly, will try to minimize the effects of this development.
Northrop Grumman and Hanwha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with South Korea's Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH)…
Lockheed Martin, Nokia and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) today announced the successful integration of Nokia's military-grade 5G solutions into Lockheed Martin's…
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) recently completed an initial flight test integrating the Long…
The United States Air Force (USAF) has designated its new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), being developed and built by General…
French water treatment company BIO-UV Group has dispatched a second BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system to the United States for…
Neutral Air Partner (NAP) has introduced NAPAY, a payment solution designed for its network members. The system was developed in…
DHL Group is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) logistics and supply chain solutions in the Asia Pacific region with the…
Air Astana will introduce a direct flight between Almaty and Da Nang, Vietnam, starting on 4th June 2025. The service…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has handed over 700 Maung MV3 special vehicles, produced by PT Pindad, to the Indonesian…
AARONIA AG presented its latest advancements in drone detection and electronic warfare at Enforce Tac 2025, held in Nuremberg from…
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with…
The Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAAFEx) is set to hold its inaugural edition from 4–6 March at Singapore’s…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Dassault Aviation have inaugurated the Dassault Aviation-PTDI Design Office on the fourth floor of PTDI’s…
L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI will collaborate on a demonstration to enable an electronic warfare (EW) operation with AI-enabled unmanned…
The Spanish Air and Space Force has said that it sees, the 'Hürjet' training aircraft as well positioned to replace…
Total passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 10.0% in January this year compared to the same…
Pratt & Whitney's GTF Advantage engine has achieved U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family.…
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) will receive the two first Boeing KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft in 2026 . The other…
Israel Shipyards has begun the construction of the first of five Reshef class warships for the Israeli Navy. The 2.8…
Russia has accelerated efforts to incorportate laser technology to some of its operational air defence systems. As part of continuous…
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Thursday announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment…
Defence trade fair Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) and the annual conference of the NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC)…
Ramco Systems, a global aviation software provider has announced the successful implementation of its Aviation Software at Philippine Airlines for…
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from…
Lockheed Martin has showcased a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution in a recent field demonstration, highlighting its ability to…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut / TNI AL) has launched the service's second Bung Karno-class corvette, KRI Bung Hatta…
ASELSAN recorded revenues of 120 billion TL (over 3.2 billion USD) in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous…
ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group have initiated a codeshare agreement, linking their route networks for the first time. This arrangement…
Chemring has provided a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, reporting a record order book of £1.35 billion…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.