Tasnim � Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) unveiled plans to extend the range of military drones beyond 1,000 kilometers.

In an interview with Tasnim, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said the Air Force has devised extensive plans for a boost to its drone power, including a rise in the range of the pilotless aircraft to above 1,000 kilometers.

He also noted that the Air Force drones will be equipped with electronic warfare equipment, bombs and air-to-ground missiles.

According to the commander, the Air Force is going to mount jet engines on some of the drones.

There are no plans to furnish the drones with interception and air defense equipment for now, he added.

On January 31, the Air Force unveiled the first homegrown pilotless wide-body jet, dubbed �Khodkar� (automatic), equipped with a J-85 turbojet engine.

Iranian military technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

Tehran has always assured other nations that its military might poses no threat to regional countries, saying that the Islamic Republic�s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.