Iran Unveils Pink-Painted Shahed-136 Drones at Girls’ Day Event in Ahvaz

Iranian state media has released images of pink-painted Shahed-136 drones displayed during a public gathering in Ahvaz. The unveiling took place at an event marking “Girls’ Day,” where officials presented the modified aircraft as a tribute to the role of young women in national defense.

The initiative was developed under the direction of a senior aerospace commander following requests from what organizers described as “revolutionary girls.” During the ceremony, one of the pink drones was symbolically gifted to event participants. State media framed the display as part of broader ideological outreach efforts aimed at reinforcing revolutionary identity and highlighting the contributions of Iranian youth to the country’s security apparatus.

The Shahed-136 is a loitering munition that has been widely deployed in recent regional conflicts and has drawn significant international scrutiny. The decision to paint the aircraft pink and associate it with a youth-focused celebration has generated mixed reactions online. While some domestic commentators praised the move as an innovative approach to public engagement and defense education, others questioned the appropriateness of linking a combat drone to a cultural observance.

The event underscores ongoing efforts by Iranian authorities to integrate military symbolism into public and educational programming. Officials stated that the project aims to bridge the gap between defense institutions and civilian communities, particularly among younger demographics. International observers have noted the display as part of a broader pattern of state-led messaging that combines military hardware with domestic cultural initiatives.