Iran requested advanced drones from Russia – FT

Tehran has approached Moscow this year with a request for advanced Geran drones to use in its war against Israel and the United States.

Source: Financial Times, citing Western security officials

Details: The FT explained that Geran drones are an upgraded version of the Iranian-designed Shahed drones, whose production Russia began in 2023. The first generation, the Geran-1, carries a warhead weighing up to 20 kg and has a top speed of 185 km/h.

Meanwhile, the Geran-5, which is powered by a jet engine and which Russia reportedly first used in January this year, can reach speeds of up to 600 km/h while carrying a 90 kg warhead over a distance of up to 1,000 km.

According to the FT, the new drones differ from earlier versions not only in terms of speed. They are equipped with thermal imaging cameras, AI-powered guidance systems, Russian anti-jamming antennas and Chinese modems for network communications.

The FT noted that centralised production has allowed the Kremlin to modify the drones, incorporate battlefield experience and rapidly introduce new models.

These drones cost several times less than the missiles that formed the basis of Moscow's earlier aerial campaigns.

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