As a result of the numerous sanctions imposed by the United States due to its nuclear program, the Islamic Republic of Iran has, over the past decades, developed a wide range of asymmetric capabilities to equip its Armed Forces, stemming from a significant domestic military-industrial complex. A clear example is the Shahed loitering munitions employed by Russia against Ukraine. Other developments and locally produced capabilities include various types of missiles, munitions, and guided rockets, air defense systems, as well as transport and advanced training aircraft. With this background, the Middle Eastern country made its presence known in Rio de Janeiro, bringing to LAAD 2025 its latest technological advancements and sending a veiled message to its main regional and global rivals — with Brazil as the stage.

As part of Zona Militar’s coverage of the event, today, April 4, we visited the Islamic Republic of Iran’s stand and took a closer look at several of the latest developments on display.

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles:

There is no doubt that one of the main areas of focus in recent years has been the development and mass production of various types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly the Shahed loitering munitions. Among the UAVs showcased and promoted, the Qods Mohajer 10 stood out as one of the most modern unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

Officially unveiled in 2023, the Mohajer 10 is reported to have the endurance to operate in a theater of operations for up to 24 hours, with a payload capacity of 300 kilograms. This includes surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence equipment, as well as armaments carried on ten hardpoints.

Other models seen at the stand included the Bavar UAV, presumably used for ISR operations, with a shorter endurance of around 3 hours and capable of reaching speeds of 150 km/h. A VTOL-type drone called Shahin was also displayed, featuring a maximum speed of 120 km/h, cruising speed of 80 km/h, a service ceiling of up to 12,000 feet, and an endurance of 2.5 hours.

Alongside the drones, various types of guided munitions intended for use with these platforms were also showcased, such as the air-launched F-365 missile, as well as a smaller variant presented as a smart bomb designated F-345.

Surface-to-Air Missile Systems:

Moving on to other capabilities, several missile systems belonging to air defense systems were unveiled, along with systems that could presumably be used for coastal defense roles.

Among the first group, we observed the “Sevvom Khordad,” a medium-range air defense system. Operating in the X-band frequency, it can engage low-altitude targets (as low as 40 meters) up to a range of 27 kilometers, with an overall range covering from 2 to 105 kilometers. According to the mockups on display, the system would allow for various missile launcher configurations and missile types, adaptable to the needs of potential operators.

Another system presented was the Arman, which is focused on anti-ballistic defense and is displayed in two different configurations: one with a range of 86 kilometers and another, known as “Arman OP,” with a 60-kilometer range.

Also on display were projects from the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), such as the HESA Simorgh light transport aircraft and the HESA Yasin advanced trainer. The Simorgh was officially presented in 2022. Few details are currently known about the development, though both ground and flight tests have been recorded. Powered by a TV3-117 turboprop engine (as of now, it remains unclear whether this has been supplied by Klimov or produced using reverse engineering techniques), it is intended for missions ranging from cargo and troop transport to paratrooper drops.

In contrast, the Yasin is one of Iran’s latest developments in training and pilot formation capabilities, though it could also be used for light attack missions. Presented in 2019, the aircraft is currently in the prototype testing phase, with no further information provided regarding the next stages of development or whether it will be delivered to the Iranian Air Force, which has recently acquired Russian-built Yak-130s for this role.

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