Defense Minister Says Aircraft Can Carry Out 'Pinpoint' Attacks

The government of Iran is claiming to be able to manufacture "advanced" UAVs that can carry out precision attacks, as well as surveillance and detection missions. 

U.S. MQ-9 Predator 

The London Telegraph cites the Iranian news agency Fars in reporting that two production lines for UAV's have been opened in Iran, according to Ahmad Vahidi, the Iranian defence minister. While it is not known exactly what role the UAV's would play for Iran, the U.S. and Israel have used them extensively in the region for any number of missions.

The report in Fars said that Iran unveiled the UAVs, called Ra'd (Thunder) and Nazir (Harbinger), at a manufacturing facility in the northern province of Mazandaran. "We plan to manufacture UAVs...at this site" Fars said Hamed Saeedi, managing director of Farnas Aerospace Company.

Saeedi said both Ra'd and Nazir are short-range, low-altitude aircraft which exhibit some stealth qualities.

The announcement is one of several Iran has made recently leading up to the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution February 11th.

FMI: www.parstimes.com/defence/