Iranian Defence Drone crash offers insight into military ambition and UAV development

Iran International TV has reported that a research drone belonging to Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), a subset of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Force Logistics (MODAFL) crashed this week in Shahinshahr Province due to a technical error.

It is reported that there were no injuries, and Nasser Hosseini Manjezi, the deputy governor of Shahinshahr confirmed the crash of the drone and said: “This drone crashed due to a technical defect in the clock system, but fortunately did not cause any casualties.”

The research drone’s crash offers an insight into Iran’s military ambitions and its growing drone industry, as HESA continues to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for surveillance and possible attack.

Defence expert and analyst at Iran International TV, Jason Brodsky said: “The threat to regional stability from Iran’s growing drone industry is significant. For instance, in January, reports circulated that Iran had sent advanced suicide drones to its Houthi allies.”

Brodsky added: “Given this influx of Iranian technology, Israel is eyeing Yemen as an emerging threat, and it recently transferred Iron Dome and Patriot missile defence batteries to Eilat for this reason.”

Established in 1976, HESA belongs to the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) and is located at Shahinshahr, Isfahan.

In 2008 the US Department of the Treasury designated six Iranian military firms that are owned or controlled by entities previously designated for their roles in Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, including Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), pursuant to Executive Order 13382.

HESA was designated because it is owned or controlled by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and because it has provided support to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). 

In 2019, the US Government designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, making the first time that the United States has designated an arm of another government, rather than a non-state actor, as an FTO.

HESA conducts research on, development of, production of, and flight operations for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Iran, and produces different variants of the Ababil UAV, which can be used for surveillance and attack by the IRGC.

Commenting on HESA, Jason Brodsky said: “HESA has long been on the radar of U.S. officials. It is owned or controlled by Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) and has provided support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

“The research drone crashing tells us that Iran continues to develop its drone technology. With the expiration of the UN arms embargo in October 2020 under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, Tehran will be emboldened to export its drone technology abroad. It may also take advantage of partnerships with China and Russia to acquire more advanced technology.”

About Jason Brodsky:

Jason Brodsky is available for further comment and interview.  Jason Brodsky is Middle East Anlyst and Editor of Iran International TV. He was previously the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI). From 2013-16, he served in a variety of capacities at the Wilson Center, including as special assistant to the Director, President and CEO former Congresswoman Jane Harman; as a research associate in its Middle East Program; and as special advisor to Distinguished Fellow Aaron David Miller. Earlier in his career, Jason served as a fellow at the White House in the Executive Office of the President. His research specialties include Iran, Iraq, Shiite militias, and U.S. policy in the Middle East.

About Iran International TV:

Iran International is a Persian language television channel broadcast by satellite to Iran. It was launched on 18 May 2017 and is managed by Volant Media Ltd, which has bureaus in Paris, Istanbul, Kabul and Washington. Iran International is available on every satellite broadcasting to Iran and is also the only Persian channel on Sky for UK viewers. Through their satellite broadcast, Iran International is available to Persian viewers in US, Canada, Africa, UK and Ireland, Europe and all-around Middle East. Iran International Radio is the only foreign Persian radio available on Medium wave (MW) accessible in the cars and portable radios to Iranians inside Iran. On the most recent statistics from GAMAAN Iran International had more viewers around the world than any other Persian channel. Iran International has estimated 20 to 25 million viewers in Iran and Afghanistan and 4 to 5 million viewers in the Iranian diaspora. Experts from Iran International have been featured on BBC News, Sky News and ITN, and are frequently contacted for their expertise and analysis of the latest developments in the region.