Drone

By Muhammad Abubakar

U.S. military officials have disclosed that Iran still possesses nearly 40 percent of its attack drone stockpile, despite weeks of sustained strikes targeting its military infrastructure.

The assessment underscores the resilience of Iran’s drone capabilities, which analysts say remain a central pillar of its military strategy. Earlier intelligence estimates had suggested that roughly half of Iran’s drone arsenal remained intact, highlighting the difficulty of eliminating such systems entirely due to their relatively low cost and ease of production.

Officials warn that the continued availability of these drones poses an ongoing threat to U.S. and allied forces in the region. Iranian drones—particularly low-cost, one-way attack models—have proven challenging to counter, with defenses struggling to intercept large-scale barrages effectively.

The latest figures come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where drone warfare has become a defining feature of the conflict. Military experts say Iran’s strategy relies on maintaining sufficient stockpiles to sustain prolonged pressure, even in the face of repeated airstrikes.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the exact figures, but officials indicate that efforts to degrade Iran’s drone capabilities are ongoing.

By Uzair Adam

The Joint Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai has announced a ban on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, citing heightened security risks.

The directive, issued by Air Commodore U.U. Idris, the Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, highlights concerns over the proliferation of drones for both domestic and commercial purposes.

Idris warned that unauthorized drone operations could be exploited by non-state actors and criminal groups for subversive activities.

“The widespread use of drones without proper authorization has raised serious security concerns,” Idris said in a signal obtained by Daily Trust.

He added that drones have been increasingly deployed by adversaries to target military installations and critical infrastructure.

The statement also pointed out the frequent violation of regulations by private individuals and government agencies operating drones in the region without prior clearance from the Air Component.

A recent incident on January 7, 2025, involving the interception of a drone aboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno, has intensified concerns.

The drone is currently under investigation, further emphasizing the risks posed by unauthorized UAV activities in the area.

In response to these threats, Operation Hadin Kai has reinforced its commitment to monitoring and regulating aerial operations within the region to ensure the safety of the airspace and security of the populace.

“The ban on drone operations in the North-East Theatre remains in effect as directed by the Superior Authority,” Idris stated. “Any violation of this restriction, regardless of its scale, will be dealt with severely.”

The Air Component Commander urged stakeholders to strictly comply with the directive to mitigate security threats and safeguard the region.