Russia producing its own "Shahed" drones: Iran events unlikely to affect war – analyst
Russia has already scaled up Iranian drone technology and established domestic production of kamikaze drones, meaning developments in Iran are unlikely to significantly affect its ability to attack Ukraine.
Drone
Russia managed to scale up Iranian drone technology and move it into domestic production, so events in Iran will not have a major impact on Russia’s use of kamikaze drones in the war against Ukraine, military analyst Bohdan Miroshnykov said.
According to him, although Iran may not currently be supplying weapons to Russia directly, it has already transferred technologies that Moscow is actively using.
«Russia has scaled up these technologies domestically and is comfortable with its own production, ” the expert said.
«Shahed"-type drones are assembled at at least three sites in Russia, including facilities in Yelabuga and Izhevsk. Another location is still being identified, likely in Moscow.
Russia continues to import some components for the drones from abroad. Engines are purchased from China, which Iran previously bought before obtaining a license to produce them domestically.
Drone antennas are also made using Chinese components.
Miroshnykov says both the Iranian and Russian regimes rely heavily on Chinese support.
«Chinese companies sell weapon components to the aggressors worth billions of U.S. dollars, ” he said.
The expert believes that the escalating tensions in Iran could mark a strategic setback for Russia, as Middle Eastern nations may gradually drift into Washington’s orbit.
For Ukraine, however, the developments are unlikely to alter the war in the near term. Russia has already absorbed most of Iran’s military technologies and incorporated them into domestic production.