ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq announced on Tuesday that it has deployed an armed drone named SARA 1 to support field operations and monitoring, a significant step as Baghdad seeks to develop and expand the country’s aerial capabilities.

“As part of developing technical and intelligence capabilities, we announce the introduction of the SARA 1 multi-mission drone system to support field security monitoring and operations,” the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) said in a statement.

The drone is equipped with advanced monitoring and night vision systems, according to the INSS, and comes as Iraq attempts to “enhance field control and keep pace with security challenges using modern technological methods.”

Baghdad has long sought to modernize its aerial capabilities and defense systems, particularly to counter threats like ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones as the country frequently finds itself entangled in regional conflicts.

The Iraqi parliament’s security and defense committee has also recommended including funding for air defense systems in the 2026 budget, with lawmakers planning to host the commander of Iraq’s Air Defense Command to discuss technical needs and ways to enhance capabilities.

Last month, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani chaired a meeting with top military officials to discuss developing air defense systems, as strikes continued targeting Iraq, underscoring the spillover of the Middle East conflict onto Iraqi territory.