Iraq Unveils SARA 1 Rifle-Mounted Combat Drone

Iraq’s National Security Service has unveiled the SARA 1, a quadcopter drone designed to carry infantry rifles and thermal imaging cameras for combined surveillance and direct fire support missions.

Official footage released by the INSS shows a modular platform with dedicated mounts for various infantry weapons including light machine guns, thermal cameras for night and low-visibility operations, and tablet-based operator control with live video relay. Field tests reportedly validated the system’s ability to engage targets in succession, with demonstration footage showing the drone circling a structure before firing on simulated targets inside.

“The drone is equipped with advanced monitoring and vision systems that operate day and night and in various conditions, with high maneuverability and rapid response capabilities,” the INSS said in its announcement.

The SARA 1 follows a pattern established across multiple conflict zones — particularly Ukraine — where rifle-armed quadcopters have been adapted for close-range fire support and building clearance. Iraq’s development of a domestic version reflects how widely the tactical concept has proliferated beyond its origins in improvised battlefield modifications. No production numbers, unit costs, or procurement details were disclosed.