Drone boats in deadly waters: How unmanned vessels are reshaping the Iran war

Mar 30, 2026 | 19:46 IST

The US has deployed sea drones known as GARC for patrol missions under ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran — the first time Washington has confirmed using such vessels in an active conflict. But how effective are they likely to be?

Iran has used low-cost unmanned speedboats to attack oil tankers in the Gulf at least twice since the US and Israel began strikes a month ago.

Now, the US has deployed similar vessels — also known as sea drones — for patrols as part of its “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, the Pentagon said.

TOI

TOI

Drone boats in deadly waters: How unmanned vessels are reshaping the Iran war

The US has deployed sea drones known as GARC for patrol missions under ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran — the first time Washington has confirmed using such vessels in an active conflict. But how effective are they likely to be?

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TOI

Drone boats in deadly waters: How unmanned vessels are reshaping the Iran war

The US has deployed sea drones known as GARC for patrol missions under ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran — the first time Washington has confirmed using such vessels in an active conflict. But how effective are they likely to be?

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