Among the key features of the vessel are:
- Multi-Drone Operation: The ability to deploy and coordinate multiple drones simultaneously, enhancing situational awareness and providing a strategic advantage in naval operations.
- Extended Operational Range: The carrier allows UAVs to operate at extended distances beyond shore-based control, significantly increasing their reach over the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and beyond.
- Advanced Surveillance Systems: Equipped with radar, electro-optical sensors, and electronic warfare suites, the vessel enables real-time intelligence gathering and monitoring of regional maritime activity.
- Strike Capability: Certain drones aboard the carrier are armed with precision-guided munitions, providing Iran with a new layer of deterrence and offensive capability in naval engagements.
Strategic Importance in Iran’s Military Doctrine
Iran has increasingly emphasized asymmetric warfare strategies, relying on drone technology, fast attack boats, and missile systems to counterbalance superior naval forces, particularly those of the United States and its allies in the region. The addition of the “Shahid Bahman Bagheri” drone carrier aligns with Tehran’s broader military doctrine of enhancing its force projection and surveillance capabilities in contested waters.