IRGC Unveils 'Suicide Drone' for Targeting Ships

On Wednesday, November 5, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new drone for its naval forces, described as a 'suicide drone' intended for targeting ships. The unveiling of this unnamed drone comes after multiple encounters between IRGC speedboats and American and other military vessels in the Persian Gulf over the past months. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the IRGC, published images of the drone, stating that it has a range of 1,000 kilometers and can fly continuously for up to four hours. However, shortly after this announcement, the agency removed the images and reports from its website, although other Iranian news outlets have republished the information and images regarding the suicide drone. Tasnim noted that one of the key features of this drone is its ability to descend to half a meter above water and fly, as well as ascend to an altitude of 3,000 feet for missions. According to the report, the new IRGC naval drone has a speed of about 250 kilometers per hour and is designed to land on water easily after reconnaissance missions. The agency did not release any footage of the drone in flight. As reported by Tasnim, 'The reconnaissance versions of this drone are equipped with advanced military cameras suitable for day and night use, and can operate in humid marine environments.' The new IRGC naval drone does not have missile-carrying capabilities but can operate in a combat role by carrying high-explosive materials, allowing it to approach a target at cruising speed (close to the water's surface) and collide with a vessel or a command center on land at high speed. The IRGC had previously produced speedboats known as 'Yamahdi' that have suicide capabilities. This new drone is the second suicide product of the IRGC's naval forces. Iranian military forces, including the IRGC, possess unmanned aerial vehicles, but the announcement of the suicide drone comes amid U.S. warnings that have repeatedly accused Tehran of provocative actions in the Persian Gulf. Reuters reported on September 23 that U.S. officials stated there have been 'over 30 close encounters' between Iranian and American forces this year, more than double the incidents from the previous year.