Iran says it has built new drone

Tehran defense minister says his country constructed a radar-evading UAV that can do surveillance and fire on enemy targets

A government drone captured by Sudanese rebels was reportedly manufactured in Iran (photo credit: Courtesy)
A government drone captured by Sudanese rebels was reportedly manufactured in Iran (photo credit: Courtesy)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s defense minister says Iran has built a new, radar-evading drone that can do surveillance and fire on enemy targets.

The semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday quoted Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as saying that the new aircraft — dubbed Epic, or Hemaseh in Farsi — can fly at high altitudes.

He did not elaborate on its capabilities.

In recent years, Iran has been pursuing a drone program alongside its military program, which has aimed to produce missiles, jet fighters, destroyers, light submarines and torpedoes.

Israeli planes late last month shot down a drone off the coast of Haifa, that officials believed might have been launched by Iranian troops from Lebanon.

Iran claims it has captured an advanced RQ-170 Sentinel CIA spy drone and at least three ScanEagle aircraft in recent months.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

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