Iran Unveils New and Improved Mohajer-10 Combat UAV

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The Islamic Republic recently unveiled its newest UAV dubbed Mohajer-10 at a high-level ceremony attended by senior Iranian officials, which it claims has an extended range of 2,000 kilometers and appears to be an upgraded version of the Mohajer-6 drone.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency it can carry a 300-kilogram payload, doubling the capacity of the older version, with several times increased range. Mohajer-10 can also carry 450 liters of fuel, has a maximum speed of 210 kph, can stay in the air for 24 hours and is equipped with various smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy, as well as electronic warfare equipment and intelligence systems.

Reuters reported that in an apparent message to Israel, an Iranian television segment about the drone included text saying “prepare your shelters” in Hebrew and Persian.

Samuel Bendett, an expert on AI and unmanned systems at CAN told Breaking Defense that it is currently difficult to judge the drone’s efficacy since it hasn’t yet flown in combat missions, concluding that it is likely that “just like Mohajer-6, this drone is presented for export.”

According to Breaking Defense, a potential customer for this drone is undoubtedly Russia. By now it is known that Iran-made drones have been very prevalent in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bendett stated that Iranian weapons are growing in sophistication and capabilities despite the sanctions and attempts at limiting its access to high-tech products, and added that for example the Shahed drone addressed a critical need for the Russian military, filling a gap between shorter-ranged ISR and loitering munitions and long-range missiles.