Iranian Armed Forces Minimize Turkish Drone’s Contribution in Locating President’s Crash Site

Iran’s Armed Forces have downplayed the role of a Turkish drone in locating the crash site of President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter, emphasizing the performance of their own drones instead. The incident occurred in adverse weather conditions, with the Turkish drone failing to accurately pinpoint the wreckage due to its lack of detection equipment and control points below the cloud.

Both Iran and Turkey possess a significant drone arsenal and have been showcasing the effectiveness of their drones for export markets. Western powers have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia for its involvement in the war in Ukraine, although Tehran has denied such claims.

Despite initial difficulties, Iranian ground rescue forces, aided by drones recalled from the Indian Ocean, eventually located the crash site where the bodies of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other officials were recovered. The coordinates shared by the Turkish drone were reportedly off by 7 km (4 miles), highlighting the challenges faced in the rescue mission.

Iran’s military explained that their advanced drones, equipped with synthetic-aperture radar, were initially unavailable as they were stationed in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. They chose Turkey among “friendly countries” to assist in the rescue mission due to its proximity to the accident site in the northwest of the country.

The successful recovery of the crash site underscores the importance of drone technology in search and rescue operations, especially in challenging conditions. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role played by drones in emergency situations.