Iran shows off updated Shahed-138B for the first time, which can fly 4000 km

During one of the parades in Iran, the military presented a new Shahed-136B kamikaze drone, which is an updated version of the basic Shahed-136.

Here's What We Know

The UAV allegedly has a flight range of up to 4,000 km and a warhead weight of 50 kilograms. However, other important details, such as flight speed, launch weight and type of powerplant, have not been disclosed to date.

The Defence Express publication has speculated on whether the Russians will be able to strike Ukraine with the updated drone. If the Shahed-138B has a range of up to 4,000 kilometres and can stay in the air for more than 10 hours, it is an ideal weapon to deplete Ukraine's air defences.

However, things are not that simple. On the one hand, no options should be dismissed, even if they seem only hypothetical at the moment. On the other hand, it is worth considering that this is the first time Iran has demonstrated the Shahed-136B, and the status of this project remains uncertain. It is unclear whether this aircraft is ready for mass production or whether it has even undergone any flight tests.

At the same time, it should be noted that the Russians are quite well "modernising" their existing Shaheds for strikes against Ukraine, with little use of external supplies from Iran.

Source: Defence Express