How the Iranian Shahed Drone Transformed War—With China’s Help
The rapid rise of cheap one-way attack drones was made possible by a complex global supply chain that keeps leading back to China.
On July 29, 2021, a Russian Shahed drone brought terrible news to the people of Kyiv. This drone, launched from Iran with support from China, was a game-changer in warfare. The Shahed-136 drone, a cheap and fast one-way attack drone powered by a turbojet engine, had already caused devastation in Bahrain and Ukraine.
China’s involvement in this transformation was crucial, as the drone’s engines were sourced from Chinese factories. Iran, despite being an isolated country, was able to pioneer this technology due to its global supply chain, mainly through China. The Shahed drones, costing as little as $20,000, were simple yet deadly machines that disrupted America’s military edge in the Middle East and caused civilian casualties in Ukraine.
The drone’s origin lies in a design developed by the U.S. and West Germany, which Iran adapted and improved upon, sourcing parts from around the world, including Western nations and China. Even Western parts went through shell companies in mainland China to evade sanctions. This global network of suppliers made it possible for any country to develop such drones, not just major powers with their own industrial bases.
The first known victims of the Shahed-136 were two crew members of the MV Mercer Street oil carrier off Oman’s coast on July 29, 2021. This marked the beginning of the global impact of these drones, inspiring the U.S. military to develop their own cheaper drones for use in the war with Iran. The Shahed drones have proven to be a disruptive force, changing the landscape of modern warfare.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
