Iran Unveils New Interceptor UAV – Karrar

By Arie Egozi

Defence Industry

Tel Aviv: While the Russian defence industry is busy supplying the needed hardware for the war in Ukraine, Iran is developing new systems that will also find their way to the Russian armed forces. Since the beginning of 2023, the Iranians have supplied Russia with a great number of armed UAVs used against the Ukrainian forces.

Now the Iranian are moving forward and are displaying new more advanced system.

According to a report in Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the Iranian TV unveiled the new armed UAV. Iranian Army showcased its Karrar interceptor UAV on a December 10, 2023 show on Channel 1 (Iran).

According to the show, the Karrar UAV is equipped with the Majid air-to-air missile, and it can intercept both manned and unmanned aircraft. The report mentions that dozens of Karrar interceptor UAVs, equipped with Majid air-to-air missiles, were added to the battle array of the army’s air-defence force.

“This is the Iranian-made interceptor Karrar UAV. It has high manoeuvrability in intercepting targets nearing our country’s airspace. Obviously, the Karrar UAV does not need a runway. It can be launched on an interception [mission] from any geographic location, and surprise the enemy. Sometimes, the enemy’s ‘birds’ insist on entering our airspace. In such cases, Karrar uses its smart weapon.”

According to the report, the Majid missile can follow manned and unmanned aerial targets, using its thermal system and electronic eye, and then destroy them. “The Karrar UAV, equipped with a Tolou jet engine and a Majid missile, is now delivered to the air-defence commands in the country, in order to best defend our airspace.”