Iran shot down 260 US aircraft, captured 7 MQM-170 drones, building underground weapons facility: IRGC's spokesman details capabilities

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that its air defence units intercepted and brought down 260 hostile aircraft during hostilities initiated by the United States against the country. The force also claimed to have recovered seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones intact over the past week or two, while highlighting its expanding domestic capabilities to manufacture missiles, drones and air-defence systems despite enemy attacks, ANI reported, quoting Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency.

The claims were made by IRGC Aerospace Force spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi during a press briefing at the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex in Tehran on Saturday, as part of the force's commemorative Aerospace Week. The briefing focused on Iran's military preparedness, indigenous defence technology and efforts to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

Mohebbi said the recovery of seven intact reconnaissance drones demonstrated the capabilities of Iran's air defence network. He also indicated that the force had developed new capabilities that could be demonstrated in the event of another conflict. These assertions have not been independently verified.


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Iran claims capture of seven US-made MQM-170 reconnaissance drones

The IRGC spokesman said Iranian forces had brought down seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones intact during the preceding one or two weeks. He presented the recovery as evidence of the country's ability to detect, intercept and capture enemy surveillance platforms.

The claim comes alongside Iran's assertion that its air defence units intercepted 260 hostile aircraft during the hostilities initiated by the US. Mohebbi did not provide a detailed breakdown of the aircraft involved or independently verifiable evidence supporting the figure in the remarks reported by Mehr News Agency.

He warned that any future conflict would expose additional capabilities developed by the IRGC Aerospace Force, suggesting that the force had continued strengthening its military systems and operational preparedness.

Iran shifts missile and drone manufacturing underground

A key part of Mohebbi's briefing concerned changes to Iran's defence manufacturing infrastructure following recent military engagements. He said the country had moved production facilities from above ground to underground locations to protect manufacturing operations from attacks.

According to the spokesman, Iran continued producing missiles and drones even while its facilities were under bombardment. He said the country had developed flexible manufacturing arrangements that allowed production to continue despite the threat of attacks.

Mohebbi also referred to Iran's extensive underground missile facilities, which he said were developed using domestic technical expertise and the country's geographical advantages. He indicated that specialised equipment would be displayed during Aerospace Week.

IRGC outlines three pillars of Iran's defence manufacturing capabilities

Mohebbi identified three major developments behind the IRGC Aerospace Force's expansion: the creation of indigenous scientific expertise, the industrial production of domestically developed weapons and greater self-reliance in military equipment and components.

The first pillar involved developing scientific knowledge within Iran's aerospace industry and adapting international technologies through domestic research and expertise. He said this had helped transform the country's defence sector from one dependent on imported weapons into a producer of military equipment.

The second stage involved converting that knowledge into industrial manufacturing capabilities. Mohebbi said Iran was now producing defence systems to meet domestic requirements and supply international markets.

Among the systems cited by the spokesman were the Arman missile, the 358 drone and the Khordad-3 air defence system. He presented these products as examples of the country's expanding defence manufacturing base and its ability to develop and produce different categories of military equipment.

The third pillar, according to Mohebbi, was reducing reliance on foreign countries for weapons, equipment and components. He said the IRGC Aerospace Force's military systems were being manufactured using domestic knowledge and technical expertise, with the aim of ensuring that the force did not depend on external suppliers.

The statements were part of Iran's broader presentation of its defence capabilities during Aerospace Week, with the IRGC highlighting underground production facilities, air defence operations and indigenous weapons development as central elements of its military self-reliance strategy.