Iran plans to produce drones abroad

Tehran: Iran is planning to produce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in other countries, a media report said Thursday. The plan was revealed by Deputy Defence Minister Mohammad Eslami, Xinhua cited the Fars news agency as saying. "Today, Iranian drones have many clients. We are in for a big market," the minister said.

He said the latest Iranian UAV, which uses "high technology", will be unveiled in May. The minister said Iran has also succeeded in producing jet engines that can be mounted on drones. The country, in future, will unveil more drones that can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet with a 24-hour flight duration capability and special operations. In September 2012, Iran unveiled home-made UAV Shahed 129 with a 24-hour non-stop flight capability. The country unveiled its first indigenous long-range drone, Karrar, in August 2010. The aerial vehicle is capable of carrying a payload of rockets to carry out bombing missions against ground targets, flying long distances at a high speed, and gathering information. IANS