Iran Said It Opened A Drone Factory In Tajikistan. But There’s No Sign Of It

(Zamira Eshanova – RFE/RL) In May 2022, the head of Iran’s armed forces posed for photographers alongside the Tajik defense minister at an undisclosed location near Dushanbe, at a ceremony to announce a major new project. It was, they said, Iran’s first drone production facility abroad: a factory for production of Ababil 2 tactical reconnaissance drones with a reported range of around 200 kilometers — smaller and cheaper than the Shahed drones that have become a hallmark of Iran’s military exports. Neither man is still in office. Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo was replaced in a leadership reshuffle in January last year. Major General Mohammad Baqeri was killed in an air strike during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June last year. But back in 2022, Baqeri was voicing excitement at the glowing prospects for the future. “Today, we have reached a position where, apart from fulfilling domestic needs, we can export military equipment to allies and friendly countries in order to strengthen security,” he said. The following day, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met with Baqeri, officially welcoming the “defensive and military cooperation” between the two nations. But nearly four years later, it remains unclear whether the factory produces drones, and if so, where they go and who is using them. – Iran Said It Opened A Drone Factory In Tajikistan. But There’s No Sign Of It.