The Russians emphasize their successes, the Ukrainians announce the destruction of specimens almost every day: one expert compared them to the Himars. A classic mix of war news and propaganda in what some call the “Game of Drones”.
They are the weapon of the “right now”: the Iranian drone kamikaze. The Russians use them and emphasize their successes, the Ukrainians fear them and almost daily announce the destruction of several copies. A classic mix of war news and propaganda in what some call the “Game of Drones”.
Tehran has supplied Russia with at least two types of aircraft: the Shahed 136 (attack mission) and the Mojaher 6 (reconnaissance). The former are built using simple technology, are inexpensive, carry an explosive charge of up to 30 kilograms, are not equipped with their own cameras and have to be supported by other means. They’re not fast, so they’re subject to anti-aircraft fire. In addition, their driving systems can be “disrupted” by electronic countermeasures. However, when used in large numbers, they saturate defenses, they can be launched from trucks (hence mobile platforms and “cheap” compared to cruise missiles), they are insidious to the Ukrainians’ most valuable artillery.
A Russian expert compared them, with some emphasis, to Himar’s long-range rocket launchers because they allow deep attacks. Western observers are less convinced, although they urge us not to underestimate the impact. Sources in the Pentagon who have been asked to comment on the issue have maintained a cautious position, avoiding revealing details that could be exploited by the intruders. This is effectiveness, weaknesses, tactics.
However, employment in the conflict has a double value for Iran. The first. In recent years, during the Yemen crisis, the Pasdaran and Shia militias have taken over these systems and achieved success against targets in Saudi Arabia. A few hours ago, they attacked Iranian Kurdish guerrilla facilities in the Erbil region, always using drones, kamikazes and rockets. The second. The mullahs are strengthening longstanding operational ties with the Kremlin, buying diplomatic, political and military loans. It’s not cheap.
The feat of some weapons becomes a hook for another, as evidenced by the peak in sales of Turkey’s TB2 drones, used first by the Azerbaijanis against the Armenians and then on many theaters from Africa (Sahel, Ethiopia) to Ukraine. NATO has included anti-drone equipment in its assistance program to Ukraine. They also appear in the package that the United States will soon launch. As always, the Resistance demands more.
September 28, 2022 (Change September 28, 2022 | 15:36)
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