Russian troops have begun using improved versions of Iran's Shahed kamikaze drones, which are equipped with the latest technology – cameras, radio-controlled modules and artificial intelligence systems.
This was reported by the Associated Press.
Russia launches upgraded Shaheds
— Last week, Ukrainian drone hunters collecting debris from the nighttime assault on Russian cities found a weapon that stood out from the rest. The drone had an advanced camera, an artificial intelligence computing platform, and radio communications that allowed an operator to control it remotely from Russia, the article says.
The discovered drone also contained Iranian anti-jamming technology, indicating the active involvement of foreign solutions in the design of these drones.
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The Russian armed forces have recorded the appearance of so-called white Shaheds – drones with advanced functionality that are capable of hitting both stationary and moving targets, including critical infrastructure facilities.
New Shaheds contain expensive components
Due to the high cost of the electronics of such UAVs, experts assume that they will be used mainly for precision strikes.
Previous versions of the Shahed did not have the ability to change route or target moving objects, making them more vulnerable to Ukrainian air defenses.
The new version of the drones has a radio communication channel, thanks to which the operator can remotely control the device in real time, even while in Russia.
Chinese-made multi-channel antennas and Iranian-made electronic warfare (EW) modules have also been found among the wreckage of the recently downed drones, indicating that the new drones are hybrids that combine components from different countries.
Some experts suggest that some of the upgraded Shaheds may be manufactured not in Iran, but in Russia, in particular, at the production facilities of the Alabuga plant.
However, due to the high cost of components, mass production of such drones is not yet expected. The Russian side will probably focus on producing cheaper analogues called Geranium.
Despite the improvements, radio-controlled drones remain vulnerable to electronic warfare. This preserves Ukraine's potential for effectively countering the new threat from the sky.
