Iran unveils new long-distance attack drone

Revolutionary Guard claims Shahed-129 can fly up to a distance of 1,700 kilometers, putting much of the Middle East in range

Illustrative photo of an Iranian drone (AP/ISNA, Hemmat Khahi)
Illustrative photo of an Iranian drone (AP/ISNA, Hemmat Khahi)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has unveiled an attack drone, capable of carrying missiles and described as the unit’s “most sophisticated” so far.

The Guard’s website, sepahnews.com, says Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari unveiled the drone Friday.

He is quoted as saying the all-Iranian-made drone is a strategic asset in protecting the nation’s borders.

The website says the drone, dubbed Shahed-129, or Witness-129, can fly up to a distance of 1,700 kilometers (1,062 miles), which puts much of the Middle East within its range.

It says the drone has a 24-hour non-stop flight capability, can carry eight bombs or missiles, and hit both fixed and moving targets.

Iran has claimed to have captured several US drones, including an advanced RQ-170 Sentinel CIA spy drone in December 2011 and at least three ScanEagle aircraft.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

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