(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a recent development, Iran’s “Shahed-136” suicide drone, extensively used by Russia in Ukraine, has reportedly been equipped with a turbojet engine, enabling it to fly faster and strike targets more effectively.
A video released by Iranian authorities showcased the Shahed-136 suicide drone with a turbojet engine successfully engaging a target during a demonstration.
Up until now, this Iranian suicide drone, widely recognized for its use by Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, had been utilizing a piston engine, often dubbed a “flying scooter” due to its noisy operation, much to the annoyance of Ukrainian forces.
Defense analysts suggest that the integration of a turbojet engine into the Shahed-136 could make it more challenging for Ukrainian forces to shoot down, as it would be capable of faster flight.
However, they anticipate that the operational range of the Shahed-136 with a turbojet engine may not reach the current 2,000km range it had with a piston engine.
“Using a turbojet engine will extend the Shahed-136’s range, but at the same time, it will sacrifice some of its previous range. It’s unlikely to achieve the same 2,000km range as it did with the piston engine,” noted one analyst.
Additionally, the use of a turbojet engine is expected to reduce the distinctive “scooter” noise produced by the Shahed-136.
Currently, Ukraine employs Western-supplied air defense systems and reports success in shooting down a significant number of Shahed-136 drones targeting its territory.
This achievement is attributed to the relatively slow movement of the drones, allowing Ukrainian forces the opportunity to engage them, even with standard AK-47 firearms.
While there are no reports confirming the deployment of turbojet-equipped Shahed-136 drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, it remains a worrisome scenario for Kiev as the country prepares for the upcoming winter season.
Russia deployed hundreds of Shahed-136 drones to attack Ukraine’s public infrastructure, particularly power plants, causing prolonged power outages in major cities.
In light of the effectiveness of these Iranian-made drones in Russia’s hands, recent reports have revealed Ukraine’s proposal to launch long-range missile strikes on drone manufacturing centers in Iran, Syria, and even Russia.
Russia is reportedly in the process of establishing a Shahed-136 drone manufacturing facility in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, south of Moscow.
Should Western nations opt against carrying out these attacks, Ukraine has expressed readiness to undertake them on behalf of Western allies, similar to the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles against Russian-occupied Crimea. — DSA
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