Iran unveils first drone carrier warship

TEHRAN,— Iran has unveiled its first drone-carrier warship, a vessel capable of operating far from its shores, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Thursday.

The warship, named Shahid Bagheri, is operated by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s navy and is designed to carry multiple squadrons of drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles, according to IRNA.

It features a 180-meter runway for drones and can travel up to 22,000 nautical miles without refueling.

State television footage from the inauguration ceremony showed at least four helicopters and three drones on the vessel’s deck.

Officials said the ship was converted from a commercial vessel and is intended to enhance Iran’s naval deterrence capabilities.

At the launch event, Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami said the warship can operate independently at sea for up to a year. He emphasized that Iran seeks to strengthen its military deterrence but does not aim for conflict.

Iran’s first drone-carrier warship in the Persian Gulf, February 6, 2025. Photo: Sepahnews/the Iranian Revolutionary Guard/via AP

“Iran does not pose a threat to any nation, but we will not surrender to any threats,” Salami said.

Adm. Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Guard’s navy, stated that it took more than two years to convert the commercial ship into a warship. The vessel is also equipped with a hospital and onboard facilities, including a gym for its crew.

Iran has been working to expand its naval presence worldwide. Since 1992, the country has pursued a military self-sufficiency program, developing its own submarines, fighter jets, and tanks.

(With files from AP)