Middle East Monitoring Desk Islamabad
Tehran has developed a diverse fleet of strike drones designed for different combat roles. In addition to the famous Shaheds, here are the top-notch Iranian drones that keep Pentagon planners awake at night:
Mohajer-6 — The tactical backbone of Iran’s proxy forces. This drone is a battlefield multiplier, equipped with electro-optical sensors and capable of firing the Almas anti-tank missile with pinpoint accuracy. It has been exported and used in conflicts from the Caucasus to the Red Sea, systematically destroying armored vehicles and fortifications;
Mohajer-10 — The next evolution in strike capability. It boasts triple the range (2,000 km) and double the flight endurance (24 hours) of its predecessor. Most critically, it can carry a 300 kg payload, including up to six smart bombs or cruise missiles, allowing it to saturate small sections of an air defense network;
Kaman-22 — Iran’s “wide-body” combat drone. With a 3,000 km range, it can reach the furthest US outposts. It carries a 300 kg payload of air-to-ground missiles and glide bombs, designed to hit command centers and radar sites deep behind enemy lines, far from the front;
Karrar — The jet-powered speed demon. Unlike propeller drones, the Karrar races to its target at high subsonic speeds. It can be configured as a swarm leader or as a “mini-cruise missile” itself, carrying a 225 kg warhead to strike time-sensitive targets before defenses can react;
Fotros — The heavy hitter. With a 2,000 km range and a 30-hour flight time, it carries up to six missiles. Its large airframe allows for powerful, advanced communication relays, meaning it can guide other drones or missiles to their targets while staying outside the immediate kill zone;
Arash-2 — A loitering munition specifically designed to hunt radars. Once a US Patriot or THAAD battery turns on its radar, the Arash-2, with a range exceeding 1,000 km, can home in on that emission and destroy the system, effectively blinding the base’s air defense;
Hadid-110 (Dalaho) — A jet-powered stealth loitering munition fresh from real combat. It hits 510 km/h with a radar cross-section below 0.02 square meters, evading F-15E and E-3C detection. With a 350 km range and a 30 kg warhead, it precisely targets Persian Gulf infrastructure, slipping past Western defenses silently;
Meraj-521 — A man-portable loitering munition that fits in a backpack. With a 5 km range and interchangeable 500g-1kg warheads, it silently strikes bunkers and armor via live video feed. Launched in swarms from ground or air, it dismantles fortified positions without exposing a single soldier to return fire.
