Iran plans to export UAVs.

IRAN PLANS TO EXPORT UAVs

NICOSIA [MENL] — Iran plans to export indigenous unmanned air vehicles.

Officials said the Defense Ministry plans to begin a marketing drive to export several UAV models. They said the campaign could begin by the end of the year.

Hossein Alaei, a senior defense official, said UAVs are an important element in Iran’s military strength. He said Teheran must develop and produce such systems to bolster the country’s deterrence.

The official said Iran’s UAV program was launched in the wake of the 1980-88 war with Iraq. He said Iranian systems match those found anywhere around the world.

Alaei, in remarks reported by the official Islamic Republic News Agency, did not identify the UAVs. Over the years, Iranian officials have reported the deployment of target drones and such UAVs as the Mohajer-3 and the -4 UAVs.