Iran Shows Drone-carrying Ship in Indian Ocean Exercise

The Iranian Navy has shown a drone-carrying ship as part of a newly set up 'special division' to transport and operate various drones.
The division is capable of carrying various combat, surveillance, and suicide drones and has joined the country's southern fleet, reports in several Iranian media outlets said.
In the unveiling ceremony of the new drone division, a number of drones produced by the Army, Defense Ministry, and knowledge-based firms performed in a military exercise in the Indian Ocean operating from ships. Home-made UAVs such as Pelican, Homa, Arash, Chamroosh, Jubin, Ababil-4, and Bavar-5 participated.
Included in the exercise were combat drones launched from submarines including indigenous Fateh and Tareq submarines.
Commander of Iran’s Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi lauded the successful military exercise, said that the drones act as the upper hand of the Islamic Republic of Iran in international waters. Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the upgrade enables the naval force to have operational and air superiority in the depth of oceans.

The display of drone prowess comes at a time when the United States has accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

The U.S. has contended that a shipload of drones will be delivered to Moscow soon citing intelligence reports.
Both Iran and Moscow have denied the charge. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kana'ani said, "the history of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation in the field of some new technologies dates back to before the start of the war in Ukraine."