A high-ranking Iranian general highlighted the country’s progress in the drone industry, saying 22 foreign states are interested in purchasing Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Tasnim News reports that in an address at a military academy in Tehran, Major-General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the top military adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, said on October 19 that the Iranian armed forces have employed science and technology so masterfully that they have gained deterrent power in various spheres.

Highlighting Iran’s progress in manufacturing drones, the general said, “Today we have reached a point that 22 world countries are demanding to purchase unmanned aircraft from Iran.”

According to him, current candidates for the purchase of Iranian drones are Armenia, Tajikistan, Serbia, Algeria, Venezuela and other countries.  

Last month, IRGC Commander Major-General Hossein Salami said Iran has sold homegrown military equipment to foreign customers, including some major world powers, and was training them to employ the gear.

Highlighting the “effective and deterrent” power of Iran based upon domestic know-how and products, the IRGC chief said Iran has developed a broad range of equipment employed for air defense in various ranges.

In remarks in August, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri said Iran has reached such a high level of expertise in the defense industry that major world powers are willing to acquire its achievements.

Recall, Major-General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Dushanbe in May this year.  On May 17, he and Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo reportedly launched the first production line for Iranian unmanned military aerial vehicle Ababil-2. 

Highlighting Iran’s progress in drone technologies in recent years, Major-General Bagheri said in the event, “Today, we have reached a position that apart from fulfilling the domestic needs, we can export military equipment to the allies and friendly countries in order to strengthen security and sustainable peace.”