Shahed-136 drone
The Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed loitering munition, commonly known as a 'kamikaze' drone, which has become a central tool in the Iranian regime's strategy of regional destabilization and direct engagement with Israel.
The Shahed-136, developed by the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), represents a shift in modern asymmetric warfare. Designed as a low-cost, long-range precision weapon, it functions as a one-way attack drone that detonates upon impact. Its delta-wing design and relatively slow speed are offset by its ability to be launched in large 'swarms,' intended to saturate and overwhelm sophisticated air defense systems. For Israel, the Shahed-136 is a primary threat not only from Iranian territory but also through its proliferation to proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. In June 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) notably released footage of these drones being launched directly toward Israel, signaling a transition from proxy-based harassment to direct military confrontation. The drone's versatility is further evidenced by its use in other theaters, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine (where it is designated as the Geran-2) and strikes against Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. Its reliance on accessible technology makes it a persistent challenge for regional security, requiring constant adaptation of multi-tier interception architectures.