Iranian Air Force receives Karrar drones armed with Majid Air-to-Air Missiles.

On December 11, 2023, several Twitter accounts relayed the news that the Iranian Air Force had officially received a fleet of Karrar drones equipped with Majid air-to-air missiles during a ceremony overseen by Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi. This reception, which took place on December 10, 2023, marks a significant step in strengthening Iran's aerial defense capabilities.
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Iranian Karrar drones equipped with Majid air-to-air missiles. (Picture source: Iran MoD)

The Majid missiles, specifically designed for intercepting hostile aerial targets, represent a cost-effective alternative to traditionally used manned jet fighters for such operations. Iranian state media highlighted the significance of this acquisition, noting that the Karrar combat drones armed with these missiles will be strategically deployed along border areas. This deployment aims to provide air defense units with the capability to intercept and neutralize aerial threats at significantly lower costs compared to manned fighter sorties.

The Majid air defense missile, a domestic product, is equipped with advanced thermal and optical seekers, greatly enhancing its tracking and interception capabilities. The integration of these missile-armed drones into the Iranian defense arsenal is intended to conduct air-based tactical defense operations across various geographical locations while minimizing costs and reducing the risks associated with manned warplanes.

Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force, revealed in September that the Karrar drones are now equipped with radar technology. These drones have already forced foreign manned and unmanned aircraft to alter their courses over the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman on multiple occasions.

Capable of reaching an altitude of 47,000 feet, the Karrar has issued radar or radio warnings to foreign aircraft approaching Iranian coastal waters or its flight information region (FIR). According to reports from Tasnim News, Iranian military specialists have recently modified a domestically produced surface-to-air missile to be compatible with the jet-powered Karrar drone. Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force, announced on Sunday that the Karrar drone is now equipped with a heat-seeking air-to-air missile with a range of 8 kilometers.

This development comes after 18 months of rigorous research and testing, during which the Air Defense team modified the AD-08 "Majid" surface-to-air missile. The missile's warhead is now capable of neutralizing a variety of aerial threats.

Unveiled in 2010 and developed during President Ahmadinejad's tenure, the Karrar is a model based on the American Beechcraft MQM-107 Streaker, a 1970s-era target drone. In 2021, the Karrar drones were fitted with Shahab-e-Saqeb missiles targeting aerial objects. This drone is part of Iran's new generation of aerial technology, specifically designed for high-altitude interception tasks, thus expanding the scope of the country's air defense operations.