Ababil-2 (drone)

2023: Plant Opening

In July 2023, it became known that an Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle production plant was opened in Tajikistan. We are talking about Ababil-2 drones manufactured by the Iranian Aircraft Industry Company.

The new drone production facility is located in Dushanbe. According to IRNA, the opening ceremony was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Bakeri and Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo. The Iranian general called the opening of a Ababil-2 production plant in Tajikistan a turning point in military cooperation between the two countries.

Iran opens drone factory in Dushanbe

Today, we can export military equipment to allied and friendly countries to improve security, along with domestic needs, "Bakeri said.

Ababil-2 was developed in the 1990s. This is a long-range drone - up to 200 km. It is capable of cruising at 220 km/h. The height of the drone is approximately 1 meter, weight - 125 kg. Ababil-2 has cylindrical fuselage and swept tail. The drone is equipped with a push engine with a simple two-bladed propeller. The drone can be launched from a zero-length JATO platform or from a truck with an air launcher. How many drones are planned to be produced at the Dushanbe plant is not reported.

It is also said that the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran met with the head of the State Committee of National Security of Tajikistan Saimumin Yatimov. They discussed issues of strengthening defense capabilities and expanding cooperation to strengthen borders, as well as the situation in neighboring Afghanistan and the region.^[1]

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