The Shahed 136 drone, Iran's advantage in warfare

"These unmanned aerial vehicles, used by the Russian military as projectiles, glide with a whirring sound similar to that of a motorcycle or lawnmower. Their speed before impact, averaging around 185 kilometers per hour in flight—lower than that of a missile—has made it easy for Ukrainian society to detect this type of weapon, capable of destroying four floors of a residential building in a single hit."

"This weapon offers the Islamic Republic a competitive advantage in warfare for two reasons: its low production cost and the difficulty of shooting it down. In the first three days of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which began on Saturday with the coordinated Israeli-American attack on Iran, Tehran launched over 1,000 drones against the territory of the Jewish State, its primary enemy, and Arab countries in the region that host U.S. military assets."

"Costing around $35,000 per unit, the Shahed 136, the crown jewel of the Iranian arsenal, represents a cost-effective yet destructive weapon system that has proven difficult for regional air defenses to neutralize completely, allowing some projectiles to reach populated urban centers despite interception efforts."

The Shahed 136, an Iranian-made suicide drone replicated by Russia, represents a significant military advantage due to its low production cost and resistance to air defense systems. These unmanned vehicles travel at approximately 185 kilometers per hour and can destroy multiple building floors with single impacts. Following coordinated Israeli-American attacks on Iran, Tehran launched over 1,000 drones across the Middle East within three days, targeting Israel, Gulf allies, and U.S. military installations. The United Arab Emirates received the heaviest bombardment with over 600 drones, followed by Kuwait with nearly 300. While most projectiles were intercepted by regional defenses, some reached urban centers including Dubai and Manama, with two striking the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.

Read at english.elpais.com