Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially unveiled its first naval vessel designed to launch drones and helicopters during a ceremony at the port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday.
👀Iran has unveiled its new drone carrier, Shahid Bahman Bagheri, which has been converted from a civilian vessel. pic.twitter.com/2OzP027a08
— Yigal Levin (@YigalLevin) February 6, 2025
The IRGC has revealed the new weaponry as Tehran prepares for escalating tensions with Israel and the United States under President Donald Trump.
Originally a commercial vessel, the warship, named Shahid Bagheri, underwent a two-year transformation to become a multi-purpose naval platform.
Measuring approximately 240 meters in length, the vessel features a 180-meter runway for drone and helicopter operations. According to Iranian officials, it can deploy multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and small naval craft while also supporting reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions.
Footage released by Iranian media suggested that drones such as the Qaher-313 UAV were capable of launching from the carrier, utilizing what appeared to be a ski-jump-assisted takeoff system.
Qaher UAV takes off from Iran’s new drone carrier, Shahid Bagheri. pic.twitter.com/EtO3jKhv0D
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 6, 2025
According to IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who attended the ceremony, the warship could support not only UAV operations but also guided unmanned underwater vehicles.
He said the drone carrier has an operational range of 22,000 nautical miles, enabling it to conduct missions for a whole year in distant waters without the need to refuel. The vessel is also equipped with intelligence-gathering equipment, and electronic warfare capabilities, including electronic support measures and signals intelligence systems.
“The addition of this ship to our fleet is an important step in increasing the defense and deterrence capability of Iran in distant waters and in maintaining our national security interests,” Tangsiri added.
During the ceremony, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, reaffirmed the country’s intention to operate in international waters. “Just as foreigners enter Iran’s territorial waters, we will also operate in distant waters in accordance with international laws,” Baqeri said.
The carrier’s unveiling coincides with the annual 10-day celebration of the Islamic Revolution, which toppled Iran’s US-backed shah.
Since the return of Trump, who recently imposed a “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, Iran has staged multiple displays of military strength. In recent days, the armed forces have launched large-scale military exercises nationwide and revealed underground military bases.
