Iran on Thursday unveiled and inaugurated its first ever drone-carrier warship, which features a 180-meter long runway for UAVS, and which is capable of carry several helicopters. Manned by the elite paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s navy (IRGC), the vessel is dubbed Shahid Bagheri, and is further capable of launching cruise missiles. Iran’s military and media is touting that the ship is able to travel “independently” across the globe’s oceans for up to one year, and it can go up to 22,000 nautical miles without needing to refuel in ports. The vessel began its life as a commercial ship, and was overhauled and completely re-outfitted for as a drone carrier. “The Revolutionary Guards took action to transform a commercial ship… into a mobile naval platform capable of carrying out drone and helicopter missions in the oceans,” said Navy Commander of the Revolutionary Guards Alireza Tangsiri. “The addition of this ship to our fleet is an important step in increasing the defense and deterrence capability of Iran in distant waters and in maintaining our national security interests,” Tangsiri added. State IRNA has touted that the carrier has a capacity of carrying 60 drones. A state TV broadcast unveiling the Shahid Bagheri showed at least four helicopters and three UAVs […]