Russia's new battlefield tactic. Intercepted Shahed-238 drone signals an evolving threat
"It made its way to the center of the country, traveling at a speed exceeding 311 mph. I hadn't anticipated such a rapid appearance. Iran recently showcased this model for the initial time at an exhibition," says military communications expert, Serhij Flesch, via his Telegram channel.
3:24 PM EST, January 9, 2024
The exhibition Flesch references occurred last November. That's when the world was officially introduced to the Shahed-238, primarily through photographs, as many of the drone's specifications are still classified information.
"Shahed-238 shot down in Ukraine"
One thing is for sure. The Shahed-238 is a more formidable asset than any drone previously employed from its lineage. This is attributed mainly to the jet engine and high maximum speed, capping at around 311mph. Combined with a new dark paint job, it may notably hinder the drone's detection by air defense systems and mobile strike units. These have thus far managed to handle previous Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 models.
Iran's Threatening Drone
Ukrainian experts are becoming increasingly apprehensive about the Shahed-238 range, which could span up to 1,553 miles. Serhij Flesch suspects that Iran is using Chinese-manufactured engines in these new drones.
The Shahed-238's design is based on the earlier Shahed-136 model. The expanded range and elevated speed cap, alongside sophisticated guidance systems, have most likely been achieved by lessening the weight of the payload.
As one of Russia's primary allies, Iran supplies Moscow with substantial amounts of the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 models. These drones pose some of the most significant challenges for Ukrainians. Low production costs translate into frequent usage by the Russians, who also deploy them as instruments of fear during attacks on civilians and residential buildings. Legitimate concerns abound that Iran will begin supplying Putin's army with the new Shahed-238 models.
