Iran unveils its latest Mohajer 10 attack drone capable of carrying larger warheads

Middle East, News August 23, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics unveiled its latest ‘Mohajer’ drone on August 22, 2023. The new Mohajer-10 drone, which is capable of carrying larger warheads, was unveiled during an exhibition showcasing Iran’s defense industry products.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and senior commanders in the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were also present during the exhibition which was organized to mark the celebrations of Iran’s Defense Industry Day.

According to Iran’s state-owned media outlets, the latest drone can carry a 300-kilogram of weapons and payload, fly at a maximum speed of 210 kilometers per hour, and holds 450 liters of fuel.

Inspired by the MQ-9 Reaper drone of the United States, Mohajer-10 can hold more fuel than any of its predecessors which has significantly increased its strike range. Iran’s Mohajer-10 drone can fly non-stop at an altitude of 7,000 meters with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers. Iranian state media added that the drone can reach Israel.

The unveiling of the drone comes only one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for funding and encouraging a shooting attack on Israelis in Hebron.

Iran Mohajer-10 drone — ^{Iran released an artistic painting of the drone hovering over Israel’s nuclear center in Dimona, with the words “Prepare to return to the Stone Age” in Hebrew and Persian. (Image Credit: Twitter)}

Reports and posters published by Iranian media showed the Mohajer-10 drone flying above Israel’s Dimona nuclear facilities with the words “Be ready to travel to the Stone Age”, written above in Persian and Hebrew.

During the event, Iranian President Raisi also announced that the two previously unveiled long-range ballistic missiles, including the Haj Qassem missile, are now ready to be handed over to the IRGC.

While speaking at the event, Raisi said that Iran’s defense production capabilities have improved significantly in recent times. “Yesterday, they viewed us as a consumer and a country in need. Today, they see us as a producer who can have much to say in the defense and military industries,” he said.

Iran unveils new armed drone “Mohajer-10”.

🔻The UAV can stay airborne for 24 hours.
🔻Max payload: 300 kg
🔻Max speed: 210 km/hr
🔻Range: 2000 km
🔻It can carry different ammunition and bombs.
🔻Can be equipped with electronic warfare systems. pic.twitter.com/KAcbjfY3IO
— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) August 22, 2023

Iranian drone industry

In recent years, Iran has mastered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing and assumed a more prominent role as an emerging military power in the Middle East. Iran has been using its high-tech attack drones in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Tehran has developed several kinds of short-range and long-range UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Although Iran has been producing combat drones since the 1980s, it was not until 2022 that its UAVs found the global spotlight after Russian forces used them to carry out swarm attacks on Ukraine. Initially, Iran denied selling drones to Ukraine, however, later it was confirmed that the Russian forces have been using Iranian-made Kamikaze drones in Ukraine.

*^{Iran’s Mohajer-10 drone has an operational radius of 2,000 km. (Image Credit: Twitter/@IranDefense)}*

Iran has also been working on developing ballistic and air-to-air strike missiles and claims to have successfully tested a hypersonic missile.

Earlier this year, Iran unveiled a new missile called Asef, which was described as a long-range, air-fired cruise missile that can be mounted on Iran’s Russian-made Sukhoi-24 jets. Iran is also negotiating with Russia to take delivery of more advanced Su-35 jets, as Tehran and Moscow rapidly expand their bilateral relations. Iranian military officials have expressed interest in the aircraft, but have not commented on when delivery could take place.