Kamikaze Drone Used By Iran In Attack On Israel: What To Know

Learn about the Shahed-136, Iran’s ‘kamikaze’ drone used in the attack on Israel.

Iran began developing this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 2021. Weighing 200 kilograms, it has a remarkable range of up to 1,500 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour.

Iranian-made Shahed-136 Drones

Iran used dozens of Shahed-136 model drones in its strike on Israel on Saturday, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. The attack was reprisal for Israel’s bombardment of the Iranian embassy in Syria earlier this month, which killed Revolutionary Guard officers. See Shahed-136’s YouTube video above.

The Shahed-136 is an unmanned kamikaze drone featuring a distinctive delta wing design. According to reports from Reuters, its unique shape contributes to a reduced radar signature, making it challenging for air defense systems to detect. Its primary feature is its ability to fly at low altitudes, further complicating radar detection.

As per Army Technology, a website specializing in weaponry, this portable attack drone can carry payloads of up to 40 kilograms in its nose section. It can be assembled and launched from either a military or commercial truck.

Manufactured by Iran’s Shahed Aviation Industries and the Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA), the Shahed-136 represents a significant advancement in Iran’s drone capabilities.

In addition to deploying Shahed-136 drones, Iran also launched ballistic missiles towards Israel, prompting widespread alarm and putting Israel on high alert.

For detailed technical specifications of the Shahed-136, please refer to the information below:

• Range: 1,000 to 1,500 km.
• Maximum speed: 185 km/h.
• Weight: 200 kilos.
• Length: 3.5 meters.
• Width: 2.5 meters.
• Start of manufacturing: 2021.

Technical information about the Shahed-136 is from the Army Technology website and the Royal United Services Institute (Rusa).

Once launched, the Shahed-136 follows a pre-programmed path, which may include as many turns and diversions as possible to hamper air defenses, according to Reuters.

Iran sold Shahed-136 drones to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. According to Reuters, the drone was used in several Russian attacks throughout the conflict.

What we know about the Iran attack on Israel:

• Iran conducted a drone attack on Israeli territory this Saturday.
• Drones, which can take hours to reach their targets, were reportedly spotted by witnesses in Iraq, a neighboring country en route to Israel.
• Reports suggest more than 20 drones were observed in the airspace.
• Israeli defense forces were on high alert and prepared for the attack.
• The incident is believed to be Iran’s retaliation for an earlier event on April 1, when the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, was struck, resulting in the death of seven individuals, including a senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Iran’s Attack on Israel:

According to reports from the Israeli military, Iran launched drones and missiles targeting Israeli territory on Saturday. The drones, which take hours to reach Israeli airspace, had not yet arrived at the time of the latest update.

Confirmation of the attack came from both Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Iran deployed dozens of drones and missiles, totaling approximately one hundred devices. Some of these were intercepted by Israeli forces while flying over Syria and Jordan, preventing them from reaching Israeli airspace.

The expected arrival time for the drones in Israel was projected to be 8pm on Saturday (or 2am local time on Sunday).

The sirens of the areas that will be hit will sound, and the Israeli defense system is on standby, according to people in the army — there are already Israeli aircraft in position.

Reports from three Reuters news agency sources in Iraq indicated the sighting of more than 20 drones flying in the Sulaymaniya region, originating from Iran’s direction. In response, both Iraq and Jordan took the precautionary measure of closing their airspace.

The drone activity is viewed as retaliation following the April 1 bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the death of a senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that “necessary warnings were given to the United States” regarding the retaliatory strike. Subsequently, the White House acknowledged that the attack would unfold gradually over several hours.

Prior to the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s readiness to defend against a direct assault from Iran and reiterated Israel’s resolve to respond appropriately. “Our defense systems are prepared, and we are ready for any eventuality,” he affirmed.

Additionally, sources from the Reuters news agency reported that Jordanian defense authorities declared a state of emergency and asserted their readiness to intercept and down any drones trespassing into their airspace. Given that a drone originating from Iran and targeting Israel would need to traverse Jordan, these measures were deemed necessary.

The country had been making preparations for several days in anticipation of a potential attack. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that they had been “closely monitoring a planned attack” by Iran or its allied groups.

Israeli officials had received intelligence suggesting an imminent attack following Iran’s vow to retaliate against the Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of Revolutionary Guard commanders.

In response to the heightened threat level, forces are currently on “high alert,” with dozens of planes deployed and on standby in case of an attack, according to Israeli military command spokesman Daniel Hagari.

Gallant emphasized the importance of compliance with any orders issued by the military’s Home Front Command, responsible for monitoring incoming missiles and other aerial threats. This ensures that the public is informed and knows whether to seek shelter.

As part of precautionary measures, the Israeli Home Front Defense Forces (IDF) have imposed a ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people across the country.