He said late Saturday in an interview with Iran's state-run tv that the process of building the new drone capable of attacking air-to-air missiles is underway.
On the indigenous long-range spy and reconnaissance drone, Karrar, he stressed that the Iranian Army forces will unveil the latest drones capable of attacking air-to-air missiles in the near future.
In relevant remarks yesterday, Deputy Defense Minister for Industrial and Research Affairs Mohammad Eslami underlined Iran's great achievements in manufacturing different types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and announced that Tehran plans to unveil its long-range drone late in May.
"We are producing 20 types of UAVs inside the country, which are classified in the three categories of long, short and mid-range and altitude," Eslami said on Iranian TV.
He said the long-range category is known as a strategic class, and added the mid-range drones are used for reconnaissance missions, while the short-range drones are suitable for training courses and wargames.
He noted the production of the strategic class of drones, and said, "We hope to soon unveil new strategic drones which can fly up to 30,000 feet in altitude and 24 hours of nonstop flight."
He noted that the drones are used in different ranges depending on their missions, and stated, "God willing, the country's newest hi-tech, long-range drone will be unveiled on May 24."
Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, specially in designing and manufacturing pilotless drones.
In September, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defense units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country's air defense capability.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defense here in Tehran on September 3, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defense units with Haazem drones.
The drone can be used as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions.
Haazem can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments as well.
irna/281
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced that the country's defense ministry is building 20 types of reconnaissance and offensive drones.
News ID 184190
