Ukraine’s air defenses under pressure as Russia starts producing new turbojet Shahed drones

This news comes after Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) confirmed that Russia was improving the Geran-3 drone production, a clone of Iranian Shahed-238 UAV, a day earlier. Intelligence also reported on the modernization of Shahed-136 model and Russia's attempts to conceal the origin of drone components.

The Russian forces are setting up production of a new version of an attack drone that mirrors Iran's Shahed-238 model. The Tolou-10/13 turbojet engine will allow the UAV to reach speeds of 550-600 km/h with a 2,500 km range.

Defense Express noted that Russia's first attempts to use the original Iranian Shahed-238 for strikes on Ukraine were recorded in late 2023 as Iran officially unveiled the new Shahed drone in the fall.

It remains unclear what type of electronics will be installed in Russia’s Geran-3 drones. However, Ukraine’s HUR indicates that these UAVs will be equipped with Iranian Tolou-10/13 engines, highlighting Russia’s continued reliance on Iranian supplies.

Additionally, there is no confirmed information about the warhead type or the destructive power of the Geran-3 drones. However, with a flight speed of 600 km/h, intercepting them will be extremely difficult for Ukraine’s mobile fire groups using small arms and helicopters designed for countering Shahed drones.

Analysts define the following weapons, able to counter these drones:

• Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS)
• Traditional air defense complexes
• British Grawehawk systems
• German Gepard anti-aircraft guns
• Other air defense systems that have proven effective against Russian cruise missiles.