Iran's Drone Program

This page contains information on Iran’s drone program authored by the Wisconsin Project, including a table describing Iran’s drone fleet and links to publications about Iran’s domestic drone development and foreign supply chain.

This page also contains links to other drone-related content on Iran Watch, including profiles of Iranian entities and their suppliers, summaries of news articles, and documents from the Library published by governments and multilateral organizations.

News Briefs

Iran Has a Secret Weapon in Its War with America: Help from China
Wall Street Journal
September 23, 2026
How Iran Adapted Its Attacks as U.S. War Munitions Dwindled
New York Times
August 11, 2026
Iran Flew IRGC Commanders, Missile Gear to Yemen's Houthis, Sources Say
Reuters
July 23, 2026
more

Iranian Entities

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Drone, Nuclear, Missile, Chemical, Biological, Military
Last Modified: August 25, 2026
Iranian military force created following the Islamic Revolution in 1979; involved in planning and support for terrorist acts; has provided support for WMD programs; has operational control over Iran's ballistic missile program.
Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company
Drone
Last Modified: August 26, 2026
An Iran-based company that produces the engines used in Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 UAVs developed by Shahed Aviation Industries for the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Control Afzar Tabriz Co Ltd
Drone, Military
Last Modified: June 30, 2026
An Iran-based company that has procured computer numerical control (CNC) machines and equipment for Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA).
more

Library Documents

Operation Economic Outcast Takes Down Iranian Military Procurement Networks
Governments » United States » Executive Branch » Department of the Treasury
September 29, 2026
Counter Narcotics, Counter Terrorism, Iran-related, and Non-Proliferation Designations
Governments » United States » Executive Branch » Department of the Treasury
September 29, 2026
Fact Sheet: United States Implements Operation Economic Outcast with Sanctions Targeting Iran's Military Activities and Procurements, and Petroleum and Petrochemical Product Traders
Governments » United States » Executive Branch » Department of State
August 24, 2026
more

Suppliers

Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited
Drone, Missile, Military
Last Modified: September 30, 2026
A China-based supplier of high-temperature fabrics and textiles; sought to supply carbon fiber to Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company (PESC), a company that has procured unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad...
Ningbo Hitex Composite Materials Co., Ltd.
Drone, Missile, Military
Last Modified: September 30, 2026

A China-based producer of composite materials; affiliated with Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited, which was added to the U.S.

Li Genping
Drone, Missile, Military
Last Modified: September 30, 2026
Executive director and legal representative of Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company Limited; manages Hitex Insulation Ningbo Company's finances, purchases, and sales.
more