During the military parade held in Tehran on September 21, 2024, in commemoration of the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war, the Shahed-136B, an evolution of the well-known kamikaze drone Shahed-136, produced under license in Russia under the name Geran-2, and used daily against Ukrainian targets, was presented to the public for the first time.
Iran presented this new kamikaze drone as part of its military modernization program, in a context marked by growing instability in the region.
According to Iranian media, the Shahed-136B represents a significant leap in terms of range and lethality. It has an operational range of between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometers (depending on the source), a more powerful warhead, a reduced radar signature, and an aerodynamic design that departs from the previous model’s delta wing configuration.
Unlike the Shahed-136, which is launched from a vehicle using a tilting ramp system and a booster rocket, the Shahed-136B’s larger size suggests that its launch system might be more static and less expedient. The Shahed-136, thanks to its compact design, can be transported in large quantities and rapidly deployed from moving vehicles. However, the larger Shahed-136B may require larger or more complex launch platforms.
The presentation of the Shahed-136B, coupled with the introduction of the Shahed-238 (a high-speed, turbojet-powered variant of the Shahed-136) and the “Yihad” ballistic missile, capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away, highlights Iran’s commitment to bolstering its regional influence. Through these enhanced military capabilities, Tehran seeks to extend its reach and deter its enemies.
NEW: During a military parade to initiate the Holy Defense Week, an annual commemoration of the 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War, the IRGC has unveiled the ‘Jihad,’ a new liquid fuel ballistic missile with a range of 1,000 km, as well as ‘Shahed-136B,’ a new variation of the suicide drone… pic.twitter.com/61eaHonO6M
— آبَوو مهـدِي (@publicInfo0) September 21, 2024
“Today, our defensive and deterrent capabilities have developed to such an extent that not even the devils (US and Israel) would dream of attacking our beloved Iran,” Iran’s new president Masud Pezeshkian said at the military parade.
