WANA (Aug 22) – Iran’s defense industry currently produces more than 1,000 advanced weapons systems and military equipment, capabilities that were deployed during recent confrontations against attacks by the U.S. and the Israeli regime to disrupt enemy calculations, according to Iranian military officials.

 

Speaking on Defense Industry Day, General Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, detailed the fundamental transformation of the country’s military manufacturing capabilities over recent decades.

 

He noted that prior to 1979, Iran’s defense output was limited to just 31 simple items, such as the assembly of foreign G3 rifles. Today, that framework has been entirely replaced by the indigenous design and domestic production of over 1,000 advanced systems, equipment, and upgraded munitions engineered by Iranian specialists in direct competition with global powers.

 

This expansion spans multiple strategic sectors, transforming Iran into a comprehensive military manufacturer. Beyond basic supplies, domestic output now covers strategic areas including ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defense platforms, radar systems, military electronics, and heavy munitions.

People walk next to a symbolic mock-up of an Iranian missile, on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 11, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

In the missile sector, Talaei-Nik stated that Iran now ranks among the top 10 global powers, pointing to multi-generational developments such as the Shahab, Qadr, Emad, Qiam, Zolfaghar, Khorramshahr, Sejjil, Kheibar Shekan, and Haj Qassem programs, which have continuously prioritized range, precision, and operational mobility.

 

Simultaneously, Iran’s unmanned aerial program has evolved into a cornerstone of its defense strategy. The country’s arsenal features an extensive array of combat, reconnaissance, and loitering munitions, including the Shahed-136, Shahed-131, Shahed-238, Mohajer, Arash, and Karrar platforms, reflecting a shift toward diverse unmanned systems built for distinct operational roles.

 

Officials emphasized that these technological advancements transitioned from testing facilities to active warfare during recent military engagements with American and Israeli forces. Despite enemy strikes, the Iranian Armed Forces maintained operational readiness and executed sustained counter-responses.

 

According to defense officials, this drive for self-reliance originated during the severe hardware shortages and embargoes of the Iran-Iraq War, creating the foundational infrastructure that enables Iran’s current domestic defense production.