On Oct. 14, FARS News Agency reported that Iran has developed and built a new indigenous multi-role, multi-range UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) capable to carry missiles.
Dubbed Haazem (Determination), the new type of robot comes in different versions (short, mid and long range models and air defense) and, although it’s not armed, it can also be equipped with weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.
Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said that the drone can be employed as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions (hence, is it a simple target drone?).
Noteworthy, Haazem drones have already equipped air defense units, even if it is not clear how the armed or unarmed drones are being used to strengthen Tehran’s air defense capabilities: since it’s hard to believe they can actively target incoming threats, the most likely way they can help is by playing the role of enemy drones, aircraft during air defense exercises aimed to train radar/SAM (surface to air missile) sites operators.
Last month, Iran unveiled the new “Shahed 129″ a new UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) largely based on the Israeli Hermes 450 model.
