On January 6, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) of Iran officially revealed that it has received its new domestically built drone carrier, Shahid Bahman Bagheri, aimed at enhancing the power projection capabilities of its surface fleet. Presented during an official ceremony, images and promotional videos circulating through Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) show the vessel sailing in an undisclosed location, accompanied by what appear to be unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters on its flight deck.
According to the limited information available about this new addition, the vessel has been named Shahid Bahman Bagheri and was converted from a merchant ship with extensive modifications over approximately two years to enable UAV operations from its flight deck. In addition to housing drones, the platform can also accommodate and deploy small missile boats and unmanned surface naval systems.
The last known updates on this vessel date back to August 2024, when experts identified the first images of the new drone carrier in an advanced state of completion. These images showed an almost finished flight deck, with already visible guidance markings. A ski-jump type deck was also identified, likely the only viable means for launching fixed-wing UAVs given the ship’s dimensions, with an estimated deck length of approximately 240 meters.
The vessel’s bridge superstructure is positioned at the starting point of the runway, and its port side has been widened to provide additional space for drone operations requiring the deployment of a large number of aircraft.
In newly released images, two types of UAVs are visible aboard the drone carrier, which experts believe are based on the conceptual design of the Qaher-313 stealth aircraft, albeit in a reduced size. The first type appears to be intended for training and operator formation, while the second resembles previous combat drones in service with Iranian armed forces. Additionally, videos show other drones, such as the Ababil-3, as well as manned aircraft, including Bell 206 and Mil Mi-17 helicopters, conducting takeoff and landing maneuvers on the flight deck.
Additional specifications of the Iranian Navy’s Shahid Bahman Bagheri include a top speed of 22 knots, eight hangars across two levels, and three separate aviation fuel stations for drones, helicopters, and unmanned naval systems. The vessel is also equipped with a medical facility and recreational spaces, including a football field. Its takeoff runway measures 180 meters, and it reportedly has the capacity to store up to 30 small naval platforms in its hangar.
During the unveiling ceremony, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri disclosed further details about the Shahid Bahman Bagheri, stating, “An operational range of 22,000 nautical miles allows it to conduct missions for an entire year in distant waters without refueling.” He also emphasized that “The addition of this vessel to the IRGC Navy fleet marks a significant step in enhancing Iran’s defense and deterrence capabilities in distant waters while contributing to the protection of the country’s national interests.”
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