Iran unveils first UAV-carrying warship

Iran on February 6 launched its first warship carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, saying it is capable of operating in waters far from land.

The ship, named Shahid Bagheri, is capable of launching cruise missiles and will be operated by the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRNA news agency reported.

Iran unveils Shahid Beheshti UAV carrier on February 6, 2025

With a 180-meter-long runway for UAVs, the ship can travel nearly 41,000 kilometers without refueling at port and can operate in rough seas, according to AP. Television footage of the Shahid Bagheri's launch showed at least four helicopters and three UAVs on the ship's runway. The ship also has a hospital and amenities such as a gym for the crew.

According to Reuters, this ship is different from previous IRGC warships because it can launch and recover large UAVs such as the Qaher, a miniature unmanned version of a domestic fighter model.

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IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said the Shahid Beheshti was originally a cargo ship before being converted into a “mobile naval base” at sea. Tangsiri stressed that Iran needed to strengthen its deterrence capabilities to prevent potential conflicts and stressed that the country did not want to go to war with any country.

Therefore, "adding the ship to the fleet is an important step to strengthen Iran's defense and deterrence capabilities in distant seas, as well as maintain national security interests," according to Mr. Tangsiri.

Iran has long expressed ambitions to increase its presence at sea. Since 1992, Iran has begun a military self-sufficiency plan. Accordingly, the country announced the production of submarines, fighter jets and military tanks domestically, according to AP.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/iran-trinh-lang-tau-chien-cho-uav-dau-tien-185250206181104236.htm