Shahed-136 Drone

Full Specifications

Shahed-136 Loitering Munition System

The Shahed-136 loitering munition has emerged as one of the most widely recognized kamikaze drones used in modern warfare. Originally developed by Iran and later supplied to Russian forces, the platform is designed for long-range precision strikes against fixed infrastructure, logistics hubs, and high-value targets. Its low cost, simplicity, and long-endurance flight profile have made it a significant component of Russia’s asymmetric strike capability.

Manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), the Shahed-136 features a delta-wing layout with a rear-mounted pusher propeller and a small warhead integrated into the fuselage. While unsophisticated compared to Western loitering munitions, its mass-production design and swarm-deployment tactics have proven tactically challenging for defending forces. The drone typically cruises at relatively low speeds and altitudes, helping it evade radar and overwhelm air defenses when launched in large numbers.

Operational use by Russia has demonstrated its range—often estimated at 1,000–2,000 km depending on payload and launch method—allowing stand-off strikes from deep within Russian territory. Its warhead, roughly 30–50 kg, is optimized for damaging infrastructure such as power stations, ammunition depots, fuel facilities, and command posts. Navigation relies on commercial-grade satellite guidance blended with inertial systems, making it resistant to limited GPS disruption but still vulnerable to stronger jamming.

Shahed-136 Drone Price

In the U.S. defense analysis community, the Shahed-136 is often highlighted for its low production cost—reportedly tens of thousands of dollars per unit—significantly cheaper than most interceptors used to defeat it. This cost asymmetry has driven renewed focus on counter-UAS technologies, including electronic warfare, short-range air defense, and directed-energy systems.