According to Military Watch, the Russian Air Force has begun deploying a new type of Iranian drone on the battlefield in Ukraine, the first evidence of the new aircraft operating on this battlefield appeared on January 8.
Photos released on social media that day showed the remains of the Shahed-238 UAV after it was launched at a target in Ukraine, with a small jet turbine distinguishing the aircraft from its propeller-powered predecessor, the Shahed-136.
UAV Shahed-238.
UAV Shahed-238
Unveiled on November 19, 2023 at the aerospace achievements exhibition of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Shahed-238 drone attracted attention with many new features such as more diverse navigation capabilities, stronger engines that allow it to approach targets faster, reduce reaction time and make it more difficult to intercept.
Three variants of the Shahed-238 drone were displayed, with different guidance options optimized for specific target types, including a variant with an anti-radiation seeker that allows the aircraft to be used for air defense suppression missions.
It was unveiled less than a month before the militant group Hezbollah launched limited attacks on Israel’s Iron Dome air defense systems, demonstrating the value such aircraft can bring not only to extra-regional customers like Russia, but also to Iran’s strategic partners in the Middle East.
UAV Shahed-136.
UAV Shahed-136
Shahed-136 entered combat duty on the Ukrainian battlefield in September 2022 and after a short time, this UAV became one of the important attack vehicles of the Russian army.
The Shahed-136 was used only once, this UAV was designed to carry explosives as a weapon, so it was also nicknamed “kamikaze” or “suicide” drone, because in concept the Shahed-136 was a combination of a drone and a cruise missile.
As Ukraine's air defenses deteriorated, Russian missile and air strikes against Ukraine on December 29 and 31, 2023, saw Ukraine's drone interception rate drop significantly.
The Shahed-136 drone is set to begin licensed assembly in Russia from 2023. Imports from Iran are also expected to continue in parallel, further maximizing the Russian military's combat capabilities in carrying out strikes. The Shahed-136 is designated Geran-2 in the Russian Armed Forces. However, the newer Shahed-238 appears to be used on a very limited scale, primarily for air defense suppression missions.
Iran's Shahed-238 UAV.
Shahed-238's capabilities
One outstanding question regarding the Shahed-238 is that it is equipped with a jet engine, so the infrared signature of this UAV will be much larger in reality. Using a jet engine will increase the UAV's speed to attack the target but will also make it vulnerable to enemy air defense systems - whether Ukrainian or Israeli.
Many military experts believe that the Shahed-238 is most likely powered by a TJ100 turbofan engine, a type of engine that powered fighter aircraft produced from the 1940s to the 1970s. Although less efficient than turbofan engines, it is significantly cheaper and less complex, making it more suitable for a simple, low-cost aircraft like the drone design.
However, the Shahed-238 is expected to cost nearly twice as much as the Shahed-136, largely due to the cost difference between turbofan and turbofan engines. As such, the aircraft may be specifically developed for export to Russia, which has higher requirements and a larger budget for such assets. At the same time, the Shahed-238 is also expected to be prioritized for higher-value targets or targets more heavily defended by Ukrainian air defenses.
Difficulties with ammunition and weapons, especially anti-aircraft missiles, have severely limited Ukraine's defense capabilities. In theory, to shoot down an air target, it is necessary to launch at least two interceptor missiles, but under current conditions, this is very difficult for Ukraine.
The Shahed-238 is expected to accelerate the deterioration of Ukraine's air defense system, by forcing Ukraine to use more missiles per target or forcing Ukrainian units to accept attacks in order to save interceptor missiles.
It is likely that the Shahed-238 drone is being tested by Russia in the field, before a larger-scale purchase or possibly a license production deal.
At a time when Ukrainian forces are increasingly at a disadvantage in terms of firepower, with units ranging from artillery to elite mechanized brigades suffering heavy losses from Russian airstrikes and missiles, Russia’s addition of a new type of UAV will only add to Ukraine’s troubles in the coming period.
Le Hung (Source: Military Watch)
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