In a significant leap of its military capabilities, the Iranian regime unveiled its first drone-carrier warship, the Shahid Bagheri. Officially showcased in early February 2025, this warship marks a milestone in the Iranian regime’s naval ambitions, signaling a growing focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drones in military operations. The Iranian regime is now the second country in the region to launch a drone carrier, following Turkey, which began operating the ‘TCG Anadolu’ in April 2023.

The unveiling of the Shahid Bagheri comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and military exercises by the Iranian regime. The announcement follows closely on the heels of the regime’s display of new weaponry, as Iran braces for more potential conflict with Israel and the United States under President Donald Trump. The Shahid Bagheri was introduced as part of Iran’s broader strategy to assert its naval power, with the vessel being described by officials as “the largest naval military project” in the history of the Islamic Republic.

The Shahid Bagheri is a converted commercial container ship designed to serve as a mobile base for drones. Equipped with a 180-meter-long runway, the ship can launch and recover a variety of drones, including combat and reconnaissance models. It is also armed with electronic warfare systems and cruise missiles, enhancing its deterrence capabilities. The ship is capable of carrying up to 60 drones and can operate without refueling for up to one year, providing Iran with a significant asset for projecting power in distant waters.

According to the partially state-owned newspaper Tasnim, the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, stated: “The Martyr Baqeri drone carrier is capable of carrying several squadrons of unmanned aerial vehicles, launching and landing unmanned fighter jets, deploying various reconnaissance and combat drones, launching and recovering various light and fast combat vessels, as well as carrying and deploying various combat and support helicopters.” This versatile platform strengthens the Iranian regime’s defensive capabilities, providing a robust means for projecting power, conducting surveillance, and potentially delivering strikes in regions far from its shores.

The vessel is also notable for its claimed operational endurance, with reports suggesting it can operate independently for up to a year without requiring refueling. This level of autonomy could be a key factor in extending the Iranian regime’s naval presence, particularly in contested maritime areas such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

The Shahid Bagheri’s unveiling is part of the Iranian regime’s broader investment in unmanned aerial systems and the enhancement of its military capabilities. In line with the country’s growing focus on defense technologies, the Shahid Bagheri provides a means of countering maritime threats posed by rival nations. With regional tensions rising, the drone carrier offers the Iranian regime greater flexibility in its naval operations, allowing it to engage in both defensive and offensive actions in critical maritime zones.

The vessel’s long-range drone deployment capacity adds a new layer to the Iranian regime’s naval deterrence, potentially reshaping the dynamics of naval warfare in the region. This technological leap could offer Tehran a significant advantage in contested areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime security is crucial to global trade.

The unveiling of the Shahid Bagheri has already attracted global attention, particularly from the United States and regional powers such as Israel. The capabilities of the vessel and its potential uses will likely be closely monitored, as it marks a significant escalation in the Iranian regime’s use of advanced drone technology for military purposes.

The announcement follows shortly after the deployment of the Iranian regime’s long-range “Gaza” drone, which participated in a military drill, and comes just months after the Iranian regime and Israel exchanged a series of missile and drone attacks, further intensifying the already high tensions between the two nations.

As the Iranian regime continues to enhance its technological and military capabilities, the Shahid Bagheri represents a major step in its military evolution. This drone carrier is not just a symbol of innovation but also a powerful message to adversaries about the Iranian regime’s growing ability to project power well beyond its borders. In an era of heightened tensions and rapid technological advancement, unmanned systems like those housed on the Shahid Bagheri will likely play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of military conflicts.