Recent reports from russian military media suggest that russia has developed an upgraded version of the Shahed-136 drone, now equipped with an electro-optical homing head and potentially enhanced with satellite communication for long-range capabilities. However, a closer examination by Defense Express reveals that this is not a new development but rather a misinterpretation based on a still image from September 19 broadcast on russia’s Channel One.
The broadcast in question showcased russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the Special Technology Center in St. Petersburg, a facility not directly involved in the development of the Shahed drones but primarily focused on the Orlan-10 UAVs and electronic warfare systems. The model displayed was part of a broader exhibition and was not highlighted as a new development. In fact, information about this variant, designated MS 236, which features a homing head but no satellite communication, had already surfaced in February after hackers from the Prana Network exposed classified Iranian documents.
Read more: russia Intends to Illegally Set Up Shahed Drone Production in Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine
While there is currently no confirmed use of this specific Shahed-136 variant by the russian military, and it has not garnered significant attention compared to other UAV systems like the Zala Lancet, the idea of a loitering munition with a 2,000 km range and satellite communication is a notable concern. However, the lack of a stable supply chain for satellite terminals, such as Starlink, which is not available in russia, limits the immediate feasibility of mass production for such drones.
Read more: Satellite Photos Reveal Aftermath of Ukrainian Defense Forces' Strike on Shahed UAV Storage Base in russia's Krasnodar Region
