Iran has developed a new drone that could be used by Russia to strike Western air defense systems in Ukraine, Sky News reported on Wednesday. A security source told Sky that the Shahed-107 drone, part of Iran’s Shahed family of unmanned aerial vehicles, could operate as both an explosive and reconnaissance aircraft. Several units are believed to have been offered to Russia as part of an initial $2 million deal. Tehran is known to have supplied Moscow with significant quantities of Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, which can fly long distances and explode on impact, threatening Ukrainian infrastructure and air defenses.
The source said Iran’s development of the Shahed-107 shows “the significant force design work Iran is engaged in to support Russia’s interests regarding Ukraine.” With a range of up to 1,500 km, the Shahed-107 can be launched from a vehicle and poses a major threat to Ukraine’s air defenses, which rely heavily on systems provided by the US and other Western countries. The latest Shahed model is expected to be fitted with a video transmitter, providing Russian forces with the ability to select targets on the front in eastern Ukraine. The source told Sky that the drone was tested in a trial by Russian and Iranian security forces at a base in central Iran.—Agencies
