Iran Unveils Heavy UAV “Gaza” for Attack and Surveillance Missions

Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Friday unveiled a wide-body and heavy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) named “Gaza” that can be employed for combat, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The “Gaza” was part of three new “strategic achievements” in the drone and air defense fields. They were unveiled in a ceremony attended by IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami Friday, several Iranian media outlets reported.

The “Gaza” can also be used in search and rescue operations after natural disasters and accidents.

With a flight endurance of 35 hours and operational range of 2,000 kilometers, the drone is capable of carrying 13 bombs and 500 kilograms of payload.

After joining the IRCG Aerospace Force’s drone fleet, it will improve the force’s intelligence dominance and capability to counter enemy threats, the reports said.

Also shown at the ceremony today were “Quds” radar system, and a surface-to-air missile system dubbed “9 of Dey,” which is capable of engaging and destroying various threats such as cruise missiles and drones.

Iran is accused of helping the Hamas fighters group in Israel-control Gaza strip with new rockets and their launcher. The rockets with ranges longer than the ones used in earlier Israel-Palestinian conflicts, surprised Israeli defenses during last week’s Hamas rocket attack that led to a iron-handed response from Israel.

Iranian media quoted IRGC Quds Force Commander, Brigadier General Esmaeil Qaani as saying that Iran will never end its support for Palestinians, no matter how much challenges may intensify and dangers may increase, He reportedly said in messages to senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements’ commanders Muhammad Zaif and Akram al-Ajouri.