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Considered to be the most powerful in the region, what are the capabilities of Iranian drones

2022-10-23 11:37:14Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Considered to be the most powerful in the region, what are the capabilities of

Iran has promised to give Russia surface-to-surface missiles as well as more drones, Iranian officials said. This decision has further angered the United States and other Western powers, which support Ukraine in its war with Russia.

These weapons could help Russia, which is facing a failed war effort against Ukraine. But Iran's clerical leaders are facing intense international pressure over their military alliance with Moscow.

What are Iran's missile and drone capabilities?

Iran has developed a large domestic arms industry while facing international sanctions and embargoes that have prevented it from importing weapons. The import ban also includes drones and missiles, which the Islamic Republic sees as vital means of defense against Israel and the United States, which it considers great enemies. These two countries have stationed soldiers in bases in the region.

Although Western military analysts said Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities, drones are a key element in Tehran's border surveillance, particularly of the waters in the Persian Gulf around the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Iran and the regional powers it supports have in recent years increasingly relied on drones in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, where the Islamic Republic has spread its influence through the forces it supports. Saudi Arabia and the US have said they believe Iran is behind the drone attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. These attacks took place in 2019, but Iran has denied carrying them out.

The Islamic Republic has said its drones are the most powerful in the region. In addition to conducting surveillance, drones can also be used to carry out attacks, such as dropping munitions or so-called "kamikaze drones" that fly to a target and throw themselves into the air. The long-range kamikaze drones are designed to strike targets as far away as Tel Aviv, Israel.

Iran has said its ballistic missiles, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, are an important deterrent and to carry out retaliatory strikes against the US, Israel and other potential targets in the region. Tehran, however, denies that it is aiming to produce nuclear weapons.

Iran's weapons program, which includes about 1,000 medium-range ballistic missiles, is one of the largest weapons programs in the Middle East.

The Arms Control Association has said that Iran's short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, including the Shahab-1, which is estimated to have a range of 300 kilometers, the Zolfaghar (700 kilometers) and the Shahab-3 (800- 1,000 kilometers). According to the association, the Emad-1 missile, which is still under development, is estimated to be designed to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, while another missile also under development, the Sejiil, is estimated to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers. from 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers.

Iran also has cruise missiles such as the Kh-55, nuclear-capable aerial weapons with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, and anti-ship missiles that can carry nuclear warheads of up to 1,000 kilograms.

The US has expressed fears that the long-range rocket technology used to send satellites into orbit could also be used to launch nuclear warheads. Tehran denies having such plans.

Why has Iran built up its missile and drone capabilities?

With U.S. forces stationed at bases in the region and Israel's military superior, Iran has stepped up efforts to build missiles and drones and supply groups it supports, even as U.S. sanctions have hit Tehran's economy hard.

Iran's air force is weak. Most of Tehran's aircraft are very old and due to their age, their maintenance is difficult. The production of drones and missiles is seen as the cheapest way for the Iranian military to defend the country.

Iranian military hardware in Syria and Yemen has improved over the past decade. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their drone attacks, bombing airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, one of Iran's main rivals.

Why is Iran supplying Russia?

The Islamic Republic's clerical leaders are keen to strengthen strategic ties with Russia against an emerging bloc in the Persian Gulf by Israel and the Arabs, backed by the US. This block can change the balance of power in the region.

Buoyed by high oil prices since the start of the war in Ukraine, Iran is calculating that by backing Russia it can pressure Washington to offer concessions to revive the nuclear deal Tehran and world powers reached in 2015.

Forging a true alliance with a superpower that shares anti-Western views and isn't afraid to push those views onto the battlefield is a strategic move designed to show that Iran is not isolated.

What Iranian weapons has Russia used in Ukraine?

On October 17, Russia launched dozens of "kamikaze drones" into Ukraine, striking energy infrastructure and killing five people in Kiev. Ukrainians have nicknamed these drones "motorcycles" because of the loud noise their engines make when the drones fly.
Ukraine has said the drones being used are Iranian Shahed-136 drones, which are loaded with munitions and are rapidly launched at targets and explode when they hit the target. Kiev has warned of severing relations with Iran due to the use of Iranian drones by Russia.

Could Iran face more sanctions?

Western powers are expected to impose more sanctions on Iran. European Union governments have agreed to impose sanctions on eight individuals and entities for using Iranian-made drones during Russian strikes in Ukraine, three EU diplomats said.

However, the Islamic Republic has learned how to survive for decades under sanctions and has tight control over its supply chains.


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