WATCH: Iran unveils new drone carrier, the Shahid Bagheri

Today (Thursday), Iran has unveiled its new drone carrier, the Shahid Bagheri, which will join the IRGC fleet for a range of missions.

The carrier is reportedly capable of launching not only drones but also high-speed attack boats and helicopters.

Watch a drone launch from it here:

According to Military Watch Magazine, the Shahid Bagheri is classified as a "forward base ship" with "an angled flight deck and ski jump launch system similar to those on Russian Kuznetsov Class."

Due to budget constraints forced on Iran by US sanctions, the IRGC opted to create the carrier by taking a commercial container ship, the Perarin, and converting it into a military vessel. A second such vessel is expected to be converted into a drone carrier, as well, to be called the Shahid Mahdavi.

Although these carriers may be sufficient to operate against non-state forces lacking air forces, which are quite prevalent throughout the Middle East and to Iran's east, they lack robust defenses and protection in operating against enemies capable of launching serious air attacks, such as Israel, especially due to the absence of support ships and the converted commercial ship's lighter armor.

Ever since the Israeli air strikes against Iran, in retaliation for Iran's drone and missile strikes on Israel, Iran has been working to develop ways of deterring Israel from striking the country again, despite having their anti-air defenses neutralized in the IDF attacks.

Drones have been front and center in these efforts, as Iran has unveiled a new arsenal of about 1,000 drones, including long-range drones which they claim can reach Israel and then return to Iran - a total flight distance of about 4,000 km, as well as drones capable of hovering, hunting, and killing targets effectively at short distance.

Such drones may prove very powerful and dangerous in the hands of pro-Iranian militias nearer Israel such as Hezbollah.