A seemingly modest weapon has become a symbol of shifting military power: Iran’s Shahed‑136 drone. Currently used by Iran's ally Russia in Ukraine and by Iran in the Middle East, the weapon represents a new type of warfare that focuses on affordability and mass production rather than technological sophistication.
On paper, the Shahed‑136 is unremarkable. It spans barely 2.5 metres, is powered by an engine that looks more like that of a small car than a jet and relies on basic electronics – GPS, sensors and an autopilot module.
