Iran's Shahed-136 Drone Alters Air Defense Dynamics with Low-Cost Swarm Attacks

Iran's Shahed-136 is a low-cost suicide drone with a range of 2,000-2,500 km and a payload of 30-50 kg, used by Iran and supplied to allies like Russia, Houthis, and Hezbollah. Its affordability enables swarm attacks that strain air defenses, forcing costly interceptor missile use, as seen in conflicts in Ukraine, Gulf countries, and Israel. The drone's technical features include GPS guidance and night operation, raising security concerns across multiple nations.