Air Force begins military drills in central Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) launched large-scale drills in the country’s central province of Isfahan on Sunday, with the participation of a whole range of military aircraft.
The drills, codenamed Fadaeeyan-e Harim-e Velayat 11 (Devotees of Velayat Airspace 11), are to send the message of “friendship, peace, calm and security” to the region, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi said on Sunday, according to Tasnim news agency.
The commander said the forces will employ 92 aircraft in the military exercise, including various fighter jets, interceptor aircraft, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Air Force units will carry out a broad range of operations, such as reconnaissance and aerial imaging, detonation of air and ground targets, electronic warfare, civil defense tactics, and testing of new systems, he said.
The commander noted that the Air Force units will also exercise diverse combat tactics and standoff attack operations with drones to destroy targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Iran’s Armed Forces hold routine military exercises throughout the year.
Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.