https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahed_drones
Shahed drones are Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and loitering munitions developed by Shahed Aviation Industries. [1][2][3] Shahed drones are manufactured both in Iran and in Russia, with the Russian variant building upon Iranian plans. [4]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HESA_Shahed_136
In addition to supplying these drones to Russia, Iran has trained thousands of Russian personnel to operate the Shahed 136 drones. This includes hundreds of Russian pilots, communications specialists, technicians, and handlers.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/iran-shahed-136-drone-cost-air-defense-gulf-war-us-israel-gulf-scorpion-strike-centcom.html
Mar 5, 2026 · Iran used low-cost Shahed-136 drones to overwhelm Gulf air defenses after U.S.-backed airstrikes. The drones are cheap and easy to produce, while interceptors can cost millions.
https://abcnews.com/International/irans-low-cost-long-range-shahed-drones-wreaking/story?id=130995895
Mar 13, 2026 · Patrycja Bazylczyk, associate director of the Center for Strategic & International Studies’ Missile Defense Project, told ABC News that Iran has focused on building up its fleet of Shahed one-way drones, while anticipating major attacks from the U.S. and Israel.
https://drone-warfare.com/research/shahed-136/
Apr 22, 2026 · Russia consistently employs mixed-type drone swarms combining Shahed/Geran-2 variants with Gerbera and Italmas drones, each with distinct signatures and flight profiles.
https://thedefensepost.com/2026/07/04/shahed-drone-guide/
Jul 4, 2026 · What Is the Shahed Drone? The “Shahed” name refers to a family of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed primarily by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s domestic aerospace sector.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2026/04/02/why-us-gatling-guns-are-not-stopping-irans-shahed-drones/
Apr 2, 2026 · These rapid-fire weapons, originally developed to defend U.S. warships against sea-skimming missiles, can easily down bigger and faster threats than a 120 mph Shahed drone. On paper they look...
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/03/03/watch-what-are-iranian-shahed-drones-and-why-are-they-everyones-problem
Mar 3, 2026 · Open-source intelligence quickly confirmed what they are: Iranian-designed and made Shahed drones. And Iran is now firing these weapons across the entire region. Should you be worried? If you...
https://quwa.org/iran/military-news-iran/shahed-drone-irans-attrition-weapon-and-the-cost-exchange-crisis-of-2026/
May 3, 2026 · Iran’s Shahed family of one-way attack (OWA) drones has emerged as the single most consequential asymmetric weapon system of the 2026 US-Iran war.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2026/03/04/why-us-may-not-be-able-to-stop-irans-shahed-drone-attacks/
Mar 4, 2026 · Continued drone attacks will exact an ongoing cost on the US and its allies. A steady trickle of Shaheds and other drones will deplete the very limited stocks of anti-aircraft missiles held...
