Why our air defense forces need drones? using as target for military drills is one reason .. specially these small drones:
View attachment 422946
once I targeted them with ZU-23 but why our air defense forces needs drones with bomb our anti aircraft missiles .. doesn't it overlap IRIAF duties?
I think that the reason is killing first attack chance of enemy.
Air defense systems are the front line against any kinds of invasions, so they need different kinds of drones, reconnaissance, interceptors and attack drones. The greatest danger to air defense forces, is cruise missiles which can be lunched from naval and air platforms.
The first duty of these drones should be keeping AD systems safe from JASSM alike cruise attackers.
The annoying point of IRIAF is their weaknesses, actually they cannot stand on the front line however it is asymmetric way to put AD systems on the front lines, due to this fact, air defense forces should do their job in the beginning moments of war like an independent force that knows there is no strong back up force. The armed forces have counted on IRIAF as the secondary air defense layer, Fakour-90 and Sejjil will protect our air space against ballistic warheads and long range bombers. So as a result, Air defense forces should completely act as an independent force, considering the weaknesses of IRIAF.
I hope in the future , we develop something like Russian Pantsir S. Could reduce the dependence of AD systems on these drones against Helicopter and cruise attacks.
Strong IRIAF should be on agenda too as Amir Hatami mentioned.
@PeeD Any ideas will be appreciated.