Israeli and US strikes on Iran slowed production of the Shahed-136 Kamikzi drone, but did not destroy it, according to a Bloomberg article.
Israel and the United States have identified attacks on drone factories as one of their priorities in the war with Iran. The organization and coordination of production has already been disrupted, but according to the agency’s interlocutors, Iran is still able to produce Shahed, albeit in smaller quantities.
Moreover, Iran has a stock of these drones in its warehouses, and drones do not require complex components to assemble, which makes them different from missiles.
The Witness is a fiberglass body equipped with an engine, basic guidance system and explosives. Such drones can also be produced in non-specialized facilities. For example, in a company that repairs high-speed boats, said a source familiar with Iranian drone production.
To launch a suicide drone, a launcher on a vehicle the size of an SUV or pickup truck is sufficient.
Experts interviewed by the agency believe that Iran may have expected to carry out attacks on defense facilities and built them underground. According to the agency’s interlocutors, even if the Yemeni Houthis can assemble drones under fire, the Iranian army can do so, although not on an industrial scale.
Experts say that as long as Iran is able to release at least 20 witnesses in a single attack, this allows Tehran to effectively threaten its targets.
In all, according to Bloomberg, since the start of the war in the Middle East, Iran has released more than 2,100 witnesses. Drones caused damage to oil infrastructure, paralyzing and destroying airports Military equipment.
Russia has been flying Shahed kamikaze drones across Ukraine since 2022. Although these drones are slow and easy to detect, launching a large number of Shahed drones could overwhelm air defense systems.
Ukrainian specialists went to Middle Eastern countries to help them repel Iranian drone attacks. In return, according to CNN, representatives of the Russian Federation are exchanging with Iran advanced tactics for using drones, which were developed over the years of the war against Ukraine.