IRIS Shahid Bagheri Drone Carrier

IRIS Shahid Bagheri Drone Carrier

Type: Support Ship

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: Iran

Manufacturer: Iranian Defense Industries

First Deployed: 2022

Overview

Iran's first purpose-modified drone carrier vessel, converted from a container ship to operate as a mobile base for unmanned aerial and surface systems. The Shahid Bagheri (named after the "father of Iranian missiles" Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam) displaces approximately 4,000-5,000 tonnes with helicopter deck, drone launch and recovery facilities, command and control centre, and maintenance workshops. Capable of deploying Mohajer, Shahed, and Ababil-series UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions at extended ranges from Iranian shores. The vessel also reportedly carries fast attack craft and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for swarm attacks against enemy naval vessels. Commissioned in 2023-2024, the Shahid Bagheri represents Iran's asymmetric naval strategy — using low-cost unmanned systems to counter superior conventional naval forces. The ship extends Iran's operational reach beyond the Persian Gulf into the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and potentially the Mediterranean through deployment to Syrian ports. The drone carrier concept provides persistent surveillance and strike capability without exposing high-value manned platforms.

Technical Specifications

roleMaritime drone launch and recovery; ISR; asymmetric power projection
typeForward Base / Drone Carrier Vessel (converted cargo ship)
originConverted commercial cargo hull
operatorIRGC Navy
uav_typesMohajer, Ababil, Shahed UAVs

Operators

Related sea Weapon Systems