Iranian Protection Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani stated lately that Iran is “designing and manufacturing airplane and drone engines; the nation is self-sufficient on this area,” in keeping with stories in pro-government Iranian Fars Information media.
He additionally praised Qatar and famous Iran’s ongoing talks with Doha about potential cooperation. One of many hyperlinks between them is Hamas: Doha hosts the terrorist group’s leaders, whereas Tehran backs it. After October 7, Ashtiani met Hamas members within the Qatari capital.
In line with the report, the protection minister stated that Iran’s protection exports are rising, which has resulted in a serious enhance over the past two years. He didn’t point out Russia, however Tehran has been exporting Shahed 136 drones to Moscow, which makes use of drones in opposition to Ukraine, in a conflict that’s changing into increasingly lethal.
The BBC reported that UK Protection Secretary Grant Schapps canceled a deliberate journey to Odesa final week due to missile threats from Germany; it was not clear if the threats additionally included drones.
Iran is growing its drone and missile arsenal and is prodding its proxies to assault Israel, delivery within the Purple Sea, and US troopers in Iraq and Syria. In late January, Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah killed three American troopers in Jordan with drones. “We now have achieved self-sufficiency within the area of drone engine manufacturing and we’re additionally pursuing [production of] heavier engines,” Ashtiani stated.
Iran used to supply drone engine supplies from the West
Engines are a vital a part of drones. Prior to now, Iran imported many components for drones from overseas, sourcing these supplies from the West. Many of those engines or different parts, comparable to gyroscopes, could possibly be seen as “twin use,” and due to this fact not essentially flagged as army use. Iran additionally reached out to Chinese language companies to construct engines. The engine manufacturing in Iran is necessary for its drone warfare program.
“Subsequent 12 months, we may have superb progress within the house sector and increase the vary of actions with the Simorgh satellite tv for pc launcher,” Ashtiani stated. “We now have had about 4 to five instances development within the protection exports sector. This development will increase sooner or later, and with the improvements and new armaments being produced, these exports will enhance additional,” he stated.
Ashtiani additionally highlighted Iran’s want to increase protection ties with different international locations, mentioning the “potential for cooperation with different nations, particularly Qatar’s affect within the area,” and noting that his talks with Qatari International Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani “throughout his current go to to Doha lined varied regional points,” in keeping with Tasnim Information.
“Discussions had been held on the event of cooperation and the work that may be performed as a foundation for increasing cooperation,” the report stated, “and we’ll pursue this path with different international locations as effectively.”
