The Iranian “Shahed” Drone Has Changed the Rules of Warfare with Chinese Support

Over the past several years, Iran’s “Shahed” drones have evolved from simple, inexpensive unmanned aircraft into some of the most prominent weapons used in modern conflicts, after China helped provide key components that enabled Iran and Russia to develop and produce them on a large scale, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

As their capabilities and speed have improved, Shahed drones have been used in attacks targeting both military and civilian sites, posing growing challenges to air-defense systems.

The report quoted current and former U.S. officials and analysts as saying that China has become an important hub in recent years for sourcing components for Shahed drones, including engine parts, servomotors, motion-sensing and navigation equipment.

According to the report, Iran, which has faced years of isolation and sanctions that have made it difficult to obtain military technology and components, has been able to develop these weapons by relying on a global supply chain in which China has played a prominent role.

A Cheap Weapon That Changed the Rules of War

Shahed drones are characterized by their simple design and low cost, with some models reportedly costing as little as $20,000. They consist primarily of a lightweight airframe, electronic components, and explosives.

These drones represent a shift in the way military technology is disseminated. Whereas major military innovations once required the enormous industrial capabilities possessed by major powers, a middle-sized state such as Iran can now develop an influential weapon by relying on overseas suppliers of inexpensive components, particularly in China.

According to the report, when Iran began developing the Shahed drones, it drew on pioneering designs developed by the United States and West Germany. To manufacture the drones in practice, however, Tehran had to import components from around the world, including from Western countries and China. Even Western-made components were often routed through front companies in China or Hong Kong to conceal their origin. Over time, many of these components were replaced with parts manufactured locally in China, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials and former analysts.

From Isolation to the Development of the Shahed

The Shahed drone was the product of decades of efforts to rebuild Iran’s air force, which suffered major losses as a result of purges and defections following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, while U.S. sanctions restricted Tehran’s ability to obtain spare parts for American-made aircraft.

According to The Wall Street Journal, analysts believe that Iranian engineers drew on earlier Western designs for unmanned aircraft before developing their own versions.

Initially, Iranian drones were used for reconnaissance and air-support missions. However, their limited accuracy prompted Iranian engineers to develop the concept of one-way attack drones, capable of inflicting significant damage even when they failed to hit their targets precisely.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, an Iranian company specializing in engine manufacturing was linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Washington imposed sanctions on the company in 2021 because of its role in the drone program.

Western Components Through Intermediaries

According to the report, the Shahed drones did not rely exclusively on Chinese components. Inspections of the drones have revealed the presence of American and European electronic components.

However, U.S. investigations concluded that many of these components reached Iran and Russia through intermediaries and front companies in China and Hong Kong, concealing their ultimate destination.

Ukrainian officials and analysts indicate that Western-made components have gradually disappeared from the drones as reliance on Chinese components has increased.

Spread Beyond Iran and Russia

Shahed technology is no longer confined to Iran and Russia. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Iran has sold its drone technology to Venezuela, Syria, and Ethiopia, while Russian forces in Africa have used drones of this type in Mali.

At the same time, China and India have unveiled their own versions, while the U.S. military has drawn on Shahed technology to develop a low-cost drone that it used in the war with Iran.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat