Russia improved its 'Shaheds' so much that Iran became interested in them – FT
Iran this year requested that Russia provide improved 'Geran' family attack drones for use in a war against Israel and the United States. Thus, the flow of drone technology between the countries partially turned: Moscow initially received Shahed technology from Tehran, but over years of war against Ukraine significantly modernized these devices.
About Iran's request, Financial Times reported, citing Western security officials and a person close to the Kremlin. The publication does not report which exact modifications Tehran sought and whether their transfer took place. There is currently no independent confirmation of the request itself.
Russia began mass use of Iranian Shaheds against Ukraine in 2022, and subsequently localized their production and began creating its own 'Geran' modifications. According to the estimate of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Moscow transformed the basic design into a platform that it constantly alters based on combat use – from navigation and communication systems to engines, cameras, and warhead. Successful solutions are rapidly put into serial production.
One of the newest versions became the jet-powered 'Geran-5', which Russia first used against Ukraine in early 2026. According to data from the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, it develops a cruising speed of 450-600 km/h, has a warhead of about 90 kg and a range of up to 950 km. It is equipped with a Chinese Telefly turbojet engine. Ukrainian intelligence also pointed to design similarities of the 'Geran-5' with the Iranian drone Karrar.
Scale of use of jet drones rose sharply in summer. Air Force Spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat reported that Russia used about 350 such UAVs in June, about 1.5 thousand in July and over 2.8 thousand in August. According to him, faster drones are significantly more difficult to intercept than older propeller-driven modifications.
Signs of reverse technology exchange between Moscow and Tehran appeared earlier. In March, CNN, citing Western intelligence, reported that Russia is passing Iran tactical experience in using drones gained during war against Ukraine, in particular approaches to circumventing air defense systems and choosing routes for attack drones.
Thus, cooperation that was initially built around transfer to Russia of Iranian Shaheds has turned into a two-way exchange. Precisely experience of serial production and continuous modernization of drones accumulated in the war against Ukraine, according to FT, now has made Russian versions of 'Geran' interesting to Iran itself.
Based on materials: Financial Times, Ukrainska Pravda, CNN
