(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Defense Intelligence of the United Kingdom has revealed that the Russian military has been operating Iranian “Mohajer-6” drones for surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Black Sea and Ukrainian territories.
In findings disclosed on March 8th, Defense Intelligence United Kingdom states that the “Mohajer-6” drones are being utilized by the Russian military for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
This adds to the collection of Iranian-made drones currently operated by Russia for its military operations in Ukraine, alongside the “Shahed-136” kamikaze drones.
“UK Defense Intelligence has detected the presence of Mohajer-6 drones in the Black Sea and the city of Kremenchuk.”
The operation of these Iranian-made drones by Russia suggests that Moscow is likely attempting to identify threats to its ports and vessels, following Ukraine’s recent success in targeting and sinking Russian naval assets.
Satellite images released by UK Defense Intelligence have shown the presence of a Mohajer-6 drone on the runway at Saky Air Base in Crimea, currently occupied by Russian forces.
In addition to surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, the Mohajer-6 drone can also be equipped with weapon systems, including bombs and guided missiles.
“There is a strong possibility that the missions carried out by the Mohajer-6 drones include assisting in identifying targets for Russian military forces in the southern coastal areas of Ukraine,” according to UK Defense Intelligence.
UK Defense Intelligence claims that the Ukrainian military successfully destroyed at least one Mohajer-6 drone on September 23, 2022, in the airspace of the Black Sea.
Manufactured by Qods Aviation Industries, the Mohajer-6 drone is a Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone primarily designed for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes, as per ISR definition.
It can also be equipped with various guided missiles and laser-guided bombs.
Additionally, it can be fitted with electronic equipment such as Electronic Support Measures (ESM), electronic countermeasure components, and electronic warfare components.
The primary users of the Mohajer-6 drone are the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with the entire Iranian military believed to possess over 200 ISR/attack drones.
The Mohajer-6 was unveiled to the public by Iran in 2016, and mass production began in 2018 by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).
Capable of flying at speeds of up to 200km/h, the Iranian-made drone can fly for 12 hours at altitudes ranging from 16,000 to 18,000 feet.
In terms of operational radius, the Mohajer-6 can operate within a range of 2,000km to 2,400km.
In September 2022, a drone belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was shot down by a US Air Force F-15 fighter jet while en route to Erbil, the Kurdish region of Iraq. — DSA