Iranian weapons have caused an arms race around the world – analysis

The Iranian drone Shahad-136, actively used by Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, has sparked a new arms race. The inexpensive and highly accurate device has forced military and defense companies in the US and Europe to urgently seek similar solutions, which has proven to be a challenging task.

This is reported by the Israeli Channel 12.

History of the Shahad-136 Drone

Not being a novelty, the development of Shahad-136 began in the early 2000s under the influence of Israeli and South African technologies.

Iran used these drones in Middle Eastern conflicts. However, the decisive role was played by contracts and the establishment of production in Russia, followed by its mass use against Ukrainian targets. Launching dozens of these devices simultaneously, combined with missile strikes, creates a serious load on air defense systems. The low cost allows the attacking side to feel losses less acutely.

Western Response

In response to the active use of Iranian drones, Western countries began producing their own analogs and models inspired by the Shahad-136.

The Ukrainian side also uses similar designs. Direct analogs with a triangular wing are now associated with this category of strike drones. However, the main obstacle remains the high cost of Western solutions, which require significant expenses for training and infrastructure. Thus, contracts for more complex systems can reach millions of dollars, while the cost of Iranian analogs is tens of thousands.

Imitations and New Developments

The market responded with a mass launch of new “imitations,” including combat prototypes and training simulators. Some manufacturers focus on the simplicity and accessibility of their models, while others on improving flight characteristics and capabilities.

Devices are emerging that closely mimic the behavior of the Shahad-136, intended for operator preparation and air defense training.

Current Approaches to Armor and Attack

Defenders of expensive systems argue that the high price ensures better performance — speed, range, and survivability. Some projects promise a significant increase in speed and complexity of target interception, while others offer combined solutions comparable to cruise missiles. On the other hand, the economic realities of war are changing: a massive and cheap pinpoint attack can be more destructive than rare but expensive strikes.

Changes in Military Strategy

The Shahad-136 has demonstrated that mass production and affordable pricing are becoming key factors in modern conflicts. The West faces a difficult choice: either invest significant funds in new developments or find ways to reduce production technology costs. The answer to this question is still absent, but one thing is clear — the style of warfare is changing, and arms manufacturers will have to adapt to new conditions.