Iran Seeks Advanced Russian Drones for Use Against Israel, US

Iran has requested advanced drone technology from Russia, specifically the newer Geran-4 and Geran-5 models, for potential use in conflicts against Israel and the United States. This request signifies a reversal in the military cooperation between the two nations, as Iran initially provided Russia with the foundational design for the Shahed drones. Russia, however, has significantly upgraded these drones based on its combat experience in Ukraine, making them faster, heavier, and more precise.

The Geran-4 and Geran-5 are jet-powered drones capable of evading air defense systems more effectively than older models, blurring the lines between suicide drones and cruise missiles. While the Geran family is based on Iran's Shahed drones, Russia began producing its own versions in 2023 and has since developed advanced variants. The Geran-5, for instance, can reach speeds of up to 600 km/h, carry a 90 kg warhead, and operate at a range of approximately 1,000 km, a substantial improvement over earlier models.

These upgraded drones incorporate advanced guidance systems, including thermal cameras, AI-based target acquisition, jam-resistant Russian antennas, and Chinese modems for network communication. Ukrainian defense officials note that these drones can be piloted from altitudes of two to five kilometers, identify targets using cameras, and then autonomously attack. The Ukrainian Air Force reports a significantly lower interception rate for these newer jet-powered drones, around 60%, compared to 90-95% for older versions.

Analysts describe this evolution as turning a drone into a cruise missile, combining jet speed, long range, a heavy warhead, and advanced guidance at a relatively low cost. If Russia fulfills Iran's request, these advanced drones could enhance Tehran's capability to conduct precise and rapid attacks against Israel and U.S. forces in the Middle East. Their integration into drone and missile barrages could also overwhelm defense systems, increasing the cost of countering such attacks.