In a Tehran parade marking its National Army Day on April 18, 2022, Iran unveiled several new drones and missile systems.[1] The parade included a new generation of "Ababil" drones named "Ababil-5," designed with "improved aerodynamic efficiency" and reduced "radar cross-section." Three "Ababil-5" drones were showcased, including one equipped with four "Almas" missiles, one with three "Qaem" bombs, and another carrying a "heavy Qaem-class bomb."[2] In addition, the parade showcased a new suicide drone called "Omid," intended to be comparable to the Israeli Harop drone, "is propelled by a piston engine."[3]
Photos of the military parade marking Iran's National Army Day (Source: Tasnim)
Also on April 18, a report claimed that Iranian heavy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) "Gaza" has been put into operation[4] after successful flight tests following its unveiling in May 2021.[5] The "Gaza" drone has a reported wingspan of 21 meters, weighs 3.1 tons, and can carry up to 500 kilograms, or 13 bombs. It can be used in surveillance and reconnaissance missions, can fly for 35 hours, has a range of 2,000 kilometers, and can reach 350 kilometers per hour.
Photos of Iran's "Gaza" heavy drone, unveiled in May 2021 and recently put into operation (source: Tasnim)
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