WANA (Jan 28) – On January 26, during the Great Prophet military exercise, the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successfully destroyed eight targets with the strategic drone Gaza with high precision.

 

This drone, first unveiled in 2021, has become one of Iran’s most capable combat tools after three and a half years of development and performance improvements.

 

The development of Iranian drones began during the Iran-Iraq War with basic models like Talaash and Mohajer. After the war, Iran’s drone industry took significant strides, focusing on the production of target drones, reconnaissance drones, and combat drones, elevating its capabilities to an advanced level.

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran's Military Power / WANA News Agency

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran’s Military Power / WANA News Agency

Strategic factors, such as external pressures and specific defense needs, drove Iran to establish one of the most advanced drone development programs in the region.

 

Today, drones have become a cornerstone of military power worldwide. This advanced technology enables diverse operations in various weather conditions and distant or nearby regions. With remote control or autonomous flight capabilities, drones have achieved significant military and political successes on battlefields in recent years.

 

Drones like Mohajer, Ababil, Meraj, Fotros, Saegheh, Shahed, and now Gaza represent just a portion of Iran’s extensive drone fleet. This fleet, constantly updated based on evolving needs and technological advancements, plays a pivotal role in the strategic plans of Iran’s armed forces.

 

Gaza Drone: A Major Step in Military Power

The Gaza drone, now one of Iran’s most significant military assets, boasts impressive specifications:

 

Flight altitude: 35,000 feet (10.6 kilometers)

 

Wingspan: 22 meters

 

Operational range: 2,000 kilometers, with a combat radius of 4,000 kilometers

 

Payload capacity: 13 bombs or 500 kilograms of reconnaissance and electronic warfare equipment

 

Endurance: Up to 35 hours of flight

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran's Military Power / WANA News Agency

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran’s Military Power / WANA News Agency

One notable feature of this drone is its potential use of a turboprop engine, representing cutting-edge technology for heavy drones. This engine allows Gaza to operate at altitudes beyond the reach of enemy short-range air defense systems—an important strategic advantage, especially in challenging environments such as Syria and Iraq.

 

With its advanced design, the Gaza drone can carry up to half a ton of equipment or 13 bombs and has a total range of 7,000 kilometers, enabling reconnaissance missions within a 500-kilometer radius. The dome-shaped front section of the drone suggests the use of advanced satellite guidance technology, previously seen in the upgraded Shahed-129 model, which has now been further refined in Gaza.

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran's Military Power / WANA News Agency

Gaza Drone, A Major Step in Iran’s Military Power / WANA News Agency

A Regional Leader in Drone Technology

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran possesses one of the largest and most advanced drone fleets in the region. Comprising entirely indigenous drones as well as reverse-engineered models, Iran’s drone program has secured its position alongside major drone powers like the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

The Gaza drone stands as a symbol of Iran’s determination and engineering capabilities in addressing modern challenges. With its unique features, it has opened a new chapter in Iran’s military strength.