US-Israel Holds Military Exercises, Iran Shows Off Underground Air Base: Capable Of Accommodating Fighter Jets And Drones

Iran's underground air base. (Twitter/@AZgeopolitics)

JAKARTA - The Iranian military launched its own underground air base and at the same time showcased the capabilities of its air force, in response to joint exercises held by the United States and Israel.

State television on Tuesday showed footage of various fighter jets and military drones at the base, dubbed "Eagle 44", in which its location is still unknown.

It said the base was dug into the mountains to protect it from munitions dropped from US strategic bombers capable of penetrating defenses.

The launch, which was attended by Tehran's top military officials, comes less than two weeks after the US and Israel held their largest joint exercises, using thousands of troops and dozens of aircraft as well as naval vessels and artillery systems, in what was widely seen as a message to Iran in amid rising tensions in the region.

In fact, the joint drills were held days after Iran held extensive drills to demonstrate its military readiness.

"Maybe they haven't received Iran's message (with the exercise) properly. Iran is now sending another message. This is a roar from deep in the mountains," the state television reporter said, as a fighter jet moved in a tunnel behind him. Jazeera February 8th.

Iranian underground air base. (Twitter/@AZgeopolitics)

State television showed footage of fighter jets taking off to carry out training missions day and night, adding that "the message of this operation is, now we are absolute air power in the region."

On that occasion. Iran's military also unveiled a new missile called Asef, a long-range cruise missile intended to be installed on Iran's Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 jets, to penetrate enemy defenses.

In recent months, there have been reports that Iran will soon take delivery of more advanced Su-35 jets from Russia, as Tehran and Moscow rapidly expand their bilateral relationship. Iranian military officials have expressed interest in the aircraft, but have yet to comment on when delivery could take place.

Meanwhile, Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, told state television at the underground base, "our base will soon host new fighter jets," without elaborating.

"If our adversaries, who are prone to miscalculations, sometimes see some of these capabilities, then that helps ensure more calm in the world and in the region," Mousavi said.

Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, added that if any country in the region is used by Israel to launch an attack on Iranian soil, "that starting point will also face heavy attacks apart from Israel".

Meanwhile, state television reports claim the Iranian army has many other bases such as Eagle 44 operational, as well as being able to carry out strikes while being able to sustain aircraft for months if necessary, in addition to boasting electronic warfare capabilities.

It is known that the Iranian army has previously launched aerial drone bases, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has demonstrated several of its underground drone and missile bases in messages to the US and Israel.

The latest show of force also comes days after the drone attack on a military facility in Isfahan, which Iran blames on Israel.

فیلم/ اولین پایگاه «زیرزمینی» نیروی هوایی ارتش با نام «عقاب۴۴»

🔹این نخستین پایگاه هوایی «زیرزمینی» ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران که رسانه‌ای می‌شود.https://t.co/0udat3NJrM@Tasnim_military pic.twitter.com/O5qTfeJmCy

— اخبار امنیتی- نظامی (@Tasnim_military) February 7, 2023