For the first time, Iran posted a video online showing its new aircraft carrier in action. Specifically, the footage showed a drone taking off and landing on the new ship of the Iranian Navy, named Shahid Bagheri.
Iran's First Aircraft Carrier
Specifically, new videos and photos show the unusual new aircraft carrier Shahid Bagheri of the Iranian Navy being fully operational.
The images show various unmanned aerial vehicles and manned helicopters on the ship's flight deck, including two drones that closely resemble the notorious Iranian UAV model Qaher-313.
Officially, Tehran has described the Shahid Bagheri as a mobile naval base, designed for the naval forces of the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In addition to its ability to operate drones and helicopters, the Shahid Bagheri can deploy small missile boats and is armed with cruise missiles for self-defense purposes.
The new footage starring the ship was posted online just hours after its official induction into the naval forces of the IRGC.
This event marked the official operational launch of the Shahid Bagheri, possibly the most unique aircraft carrier in the world today.
It's worth reminding that the ship wasn't built from scratch. The Iranians actually modified a conventional cargo vessel, converting it into a small aircraft carrier with a 180-meter long flight deck. The work is said to have started in May 2022, with the first trials taking place last November.
In the new footage, we can observe a modified Ababil-3 drone on the deck of the Shahid Bagheri, which later appears to land on the ship with the help of a special hook. It's important to note that the Ababil-3 is one of Iran's top drones today and is used by many of Tehran's allied organizations across the Middle East.
Additionally, the air fleet of the Shahid Bagheri includes two new types of drones, which resemble the Iranian UAV Qaher-313 (although significantly smaller in size).
Finally, the deck also featured Mohajer-6 drones as well as some Iranian helicopters, such as the American types Model 206 and Model 212, and Russian Mi-17 Hips helicopters.
