TEHRAN, Oct 18 (NNN-FNA) -- Iran is working on manufacturing long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the near future, a senior Iranian aviation industry official announced here.

Speaking to FNA on Wednesday, managing-director of the Iranian Aviation Industries Organisation (IAIO) Manouchehr Manteqi divided UAVs into three categories: class one which includes those drones which can fly a 200 km-distance, class two with a flight range of 1000-1500 km and up to 30,000 ft in altitude and 15 hours of non-stop flight, and class three drones with a flight range of 2000 km at 50,000 ft in altitude and 24 hours of non-stop flight.

"Now, we have a series of designs and achievements regarding class two and class three drones," Manteqi said, adding that Iran will unveil its long-range drones by the next two or three years.

Manteqi also stressed Iran's high capabilities to produce different classes of choppers, and noted that the country is already exporting light, medium and semi-heavy choppers to foreign countries.

Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, specially in designing and manufacturing non-piloted drones.

Last month, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defence units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country's air defence capability.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defence here on Sept 3, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defence Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defence units with Haazem drones.

The drone can be used as a target for air defence systems and also for reconnaissance missions.

Haazem can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments.

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