Iran Requests Advanced Russian Geran Drones for Use Against Israel and U.S.
Iran has reportedly requested advanced jet-powered Geran drones from Russia for potential use against Israel and the U.S., leveraging battlefield upgrades developed in Ukraine.
Iran has asked Russia to supply advanced Geran-series drones for use in conflicts against Israel and the United States, according to Western security officials and a person close to the Kremlin, as reported by the Financial Times.
The Evolution of the Shahed Design
The request highlights a reversal in military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. While Iran originally supplied Russia with the blueprints for Shahed drones, Moscow utilized combat experience gained in Ukraine to upgrade them into faster, heavier, and more precise weapons. Tehran now seeks to acquire these advanced Russian models for its own military operations.
The report focuses on the new Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones, which Russia has deployed extensively in recent weeks. These systems can evade air defense networks at a significantly higher rate than older models, effectively blurring the line between suicide drones and cruise missiles.
The Geran family stems from Iranian Shahed drones that Russia began manufacturing independently in 2023. Moscow subsequently expanded its production capacity and developed new variants based on battlefield feedback. While the initial Geran-1 carried a 20-kg warhead and traveled at 185 km/h, the jet-powered Geran-5 can reach up to 600 km/h, carry a 90-kg warhead, and operate over a range of roughly 1,000 kilometers.
Advanced Guidance and AI Integration
The upgrades extend beyond speed, range, and payload capacity. Newer variants are equipped with thermal cameras, artificial intelligence-based target acquisition systems, Russian jam-resistant antennas, and Chinese modems for networked communications.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, explained that operators can pilot the drone at altitudes between two and five kilometers, locate a target, and lock onto it via camera. The drone then executes the strike automatically.
Strategic Implications for Regional Security
The operational efficiency of these new weapons likely prompted Tehran's interest. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the interception rate for jet-powered drones stands at approximately 60%, compared to 90% to 95% for older variants. Their high speed shortens warning times and complicates interception efforts.
If Russia fulfills the request, these advanced models could enhance Iran's capability to execute rapid, precise strikes against targets in Israel and against U.S. bases, ships, and forces across the Middle East. Their integration into coordinated missile and drone barrages could further strain air defense systems and significantly increase the cost of defense.
