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Iran accelerates deployment of autonomous drone base network to strengthen border security.
On April 9, 2025, during the 20th National Conference of Iranian Army Ground Force Commanders (Artesh), Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari presented Iran’s new strategic direction in the field of defense technology. Held at the Ground Forces headquarters in Tehran, the conference provided the backdrop for announcing an extensive plan to expand and modernize Iran’s national network of drone bases. These facilities, expected to play a central role in territorial defense, are designed to enhance Iran’s capacity to respond to cross-border threats and safeguard the integrity of its frontiers.
At the core of this strategy, Iran has developed a comprehensive array of military drones, now a key element of its asymmetric defense posture. (Picture source: Mehr Agency )
In his address, General Heydari emphasized that drones have become one of the most decisive tools in future conflicts, asserting their essential place in Iran’s military doctrine. He highlighted the advances made in the domestic production of unmanned aerial systems, now fully integrated into the country’s armed forces under the Ministry of Defense. According to him, the Iranian Army Ground Forces have developed and fielded a wide range of drones and micro-aircraft, which have become crucial assets for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike operations.
At the core of this strategy, Iran has developed a comprehensive array of military drones, now a key element of its asymmetric defense posture. Among the most prominent platforms are the Mohajer-6 and Ababil-3, mainly used for armed reconnaissance and extended surveillance missions. Equipped with AI-assisted navigation systems, these drones offer significant flight endurance and real-time data collection capabilities. The Mohajer-6 can carry precision-guided munitions, making it a valuable tactical asset for border control and support to units deployed in remote areas.
In parallel, Iran has developed long-range offensive drones with enhanced capabilities. The Shahed-136, widely noted for its use in Ukraine by Russian forces, belongs to a class of loitering munitions designed for saturation strikes at long distances. Other systems, such as the Arash-2, Gaza, Ababil-5, and Karrar, fulfill a range of roles from intelligence gathering to precision strikes and swarm operations. The Gaza and Ababil-5 are notable for their long-range surveillance and strike abilities, while the Karrar can be fitted with air-to-surface or air-to-air missiles, enhancing its operational versatility. Despite international sanctions, these platforms reflect Iran’s indigenous production capabilities and its stated intent to become a significant drone power.
General Heydari noted that several drone bases have already been constructed or upgraded across the country, with a particular focus on strategically sensitive border regions. These facilities are equipped with advanced technologies designed to support drones capable of identifying and neutralizing threats to national sovereignty. This effort is part of the Eastern Border Blockade Project, a priority initiative aimed at securing Iran’s eastern frontier with Pakistan and Afghanistan. So far, 70 kilometers of this smart surveillance system have been completed. The setup combines sensors, surveillance drones, and automated response units. The general described the program as a “demonstration of Iran’s military engineering,” integrating advanced technologies, rapid response capabilities, and a long-term security framework. Ten specialized brigades are currently engaged to accelerate the implementation of this security infrastructure.
Amid growing regional tensions and increasing pressure from the United States and Israel, Iran is leveraging this technological momentum to strengthen its defense posture. The drone program, based on years of domestic research and development, aims to improve real-time intelligence gathering, increase strike accuracy, and fully integrate drone platforms into network-centric operations. Systems such as the Mohajer-6 and Ababil-3 have become central to ground operations, alongside more advanced models like the Arash-2, Gaza, Shahed-136, Ababil-5, and Karrar, which are also attracting attention from international partners.
General Heydari also underlined the growing role of the Army in drone production, in close coordination with the Ministry of Defense. This collaboration allows for rapid adaptation of existing platforms to meet evolving operational requirements on the ground. For many analysts, this development highlights the Iranian military’s capacity for resilience in a challenging security environment. Ryan Bohl, a senior analyst at the RANE network, noted that these capabilities enable Iran to expand its influence in neighboring areas without relying exclusively on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He sees the growing network of drone bases as a fast, flexible, and cost-effective way to build conventional deterrence, even though these systems remain technically outmatched by Western arsenals.
The new drone bases are expected to be distributed across Iran’s western, eastern, and southern borders, each region offering distinct strategic value. In the west, the bases could facilitate rapid access to Iraq and potentially Israel; in the south, they would enhance Iran’s presence in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; and in the east, they would support monitoring of cross-border movements with Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly in anti-smuggling and border control efforts. This military expansion is unfolding amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Oman between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. In this context, the growth of drone capabilities functions both as a demonstration of technological sovereignty and as a strategic tool to widen Iran’s regional maneuvering space.
General Heydari’s announcement on the expansion of Iran’s drone base network signals the country’s broader ambition to establish itself as a regional power with autonomous capabilities in surveillance, strike operations, and deterrence. This project is intended not only to reinforce border security but also to strengthen Iran’s strategic posture in an increasingly competitive geopolitical and technological landscape. Through this deployment, Iran aims to secure a prominent role in the domain of unmanned systems while adapting its military doctrine to the evolving nature of contemporary warfare.