Iran Unveils Mohajer-10 Drone: Capable of 24-Hour Flights, Can Reach Israel

Iran's Defense Ministry recently unveiled the "Mohajer-10," a new drone that remarkably resembles the US MQ-9 Reaper drone, often connected to armed capabilities.

The country's new military drone, shown on Tuesday at a conference honoring Defense Industry Day, is said to have the remarkable capacity to stay in the air for up to 24 hours and a range that can reach Iran's regional adversary, Israel.

Iran Flexing Its Military Tech

The official state-run IRNA news agency documented the ceremony via a picture of the Mohajer-10 on exhibit at the conference location, surrounded by a mist of smoke-machine fog, creating a sense of mystery about the new drone's capabilities.

"Mohajer" means "immigrant" in Farsi and has stood for an Islamic Republic drone line since 1985. Iran's drone technology has advanced significantly with the introduction of the Mohajer-10. According to IRNA, the Mohajer-10 is capable of reaching 24,000 feet at 210 kph. It can carry 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of payload, including a camera and electronic surveillance equipment.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attended the Defense Industry Day ceremonies. The Iranian leader remarked in his speech: "Today, we can firmly introduce Iran as an advanced and technological nation to the world," per AP News. Raisi also underlined Iran's cordial relations with foreign countries and its military's readiness to protect its sovereignty.

According to a report from WION, the Mohajer-10 is an upgraded version of the "Mohajer-6," a drone the US has accused Iran of providing to Russia during its war against Ukraine, which Tehran has vigorously refuted. Though Iran's military accomplishments are praised within its boundaries, opinions outside remain divided.

The Mohajer-10 was shown among other military hardware in a video that was unveiled simultaneously with the Iranian drone. Reuters reported that the video also included the Persian and Hebrew phrase "prepare your shelters." The video's broadcast on Iran's military industry day highlights Iran-Israel tensions escalated by recent fatal assaults on Israelis.

Israel, a country with a fleet of long-range drones, has yet to comment on Iran's launching of the Mohajer-10 drone.

Is Iran Ripping Off US Drone Technology?

Iran has already shown that it is capable of capturing and disassembling drones. An RQ-170 Sentinel drone controlled by the CIA was famously captured by Iran in 2011 after it entered Iranian airspace from Afghanistan. This tragedy prompted Iran to create its own drone subtypes. After the nuclear agreement collapsed, Iran destroyed a US Navy RQ-4A Global Hawk drone in the Strait of Hormuz in 2019.

The MQ-9 Reaper has significance for Iran since it is thought to have been involved in the Baghdad attack in 2020 that killed famous Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

Iran also revealed supplying its army and Revolutionary Guard with two ballistic missile types, including one named after Qassem Soleimani.