IRGC Aerospace Force adviser says reverse engineering of captured US equipment continues

Brigadier General Ali Balali, an adviser to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force and the official in charge of the Aerospace National Park, said that reverse engineering of captured enemy equipment and technologies has been on the agenda since the era of the martyred IRGC commander Hassan Tehrani-Moghaddam and continues to the present day. He was speaking about the development process of the country's defense capabilities, according to Mehr News.

General Balali said numerous items of military equipment have been captured from the enemy and are currently being examined and reverse-engineered by specialists and young professionals working in the country's defense industries. He said the primary goal of these measures is to maximize the use of existing capacities to enhance the technical know-how and capabilities of the country's defense industry. "Young Iranian specialists strive to seize every opportunity to develop indigenous technologies and bolster defense power," he said.

On the Aerospace National Park, the commander said it began operating in 2020 and has showcased the achievements of the Armed Forces across five domains: missiles, drones, air operations, air defense and space. He pointed to development plans for the park without giving further details.

General Balali also addressed claims by American and Israeli officials that Iran's military capabilities have been weakened, describing them as baseless and primarily propagandistic in nature and as a form of psychological warfare. He said that by raising such claims the enemy seeks to undermine the morale of the people and sow discord between the public and the authorities. He added that experience has shown national unity serves as the country's most vital bulwark against external threats.

The Mehr News report did not specify which equipment had been captured, when or where it was obtained, or provide further details on the reverse-engineering program.