Could Russia get the Shahed-101 and what is known about this drone: Defense Express explains

The Russian Federation could have another model of a long-range drone at its disposal , which can be used for attacks on Ukraine. We are talking about the Iranian Shahed-101.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine  with reference to Defense Express.

As the publication writes, a photo of a downed enemy drone appeared on social networks the other day which visually resembles the Iranian Shahed-101. Such a drone has been seen in use by the Yemeni Houthis and the Hezbollah group.

What is known about the Shahed-101

Previously, the mass media wrote that Iran could transfer to Russia an improved version of the Shahed-101, which has the marking “Shahed-107”. This drone has a launch range of up to 1,500 kilometers. It also allegedly has the ability to hit Western missile systems such as the M142 HIMARS or M270 MLRS.

Other sources remind us that during the period of reports about the presence of the Shahed-107 in the Russian Federation, data appeared that the Russian ” Alabuga” plans to manufacture such drones under the designation 101Р.

According to Defense Express, the use of Shahed-101 by Russia is indicated by three indicators:

• flight range – up to 1,400 kilometers;
• use range – up to 600 kilometers;
• range of video signal transmission – up to 50 kilometers.

However, it is worth noting that currently the evidence that the Russian Federation could use the Shahed-101 is only a publicly available photo. However, it is not clear from the photo whether serial production of drones of this type has started in Russia or not.

Characteristics of Shahed-101

The mass of the combat part of the drone is only 8 kilograms – which makes it rather Iranian a copy or competitor for the Russian “Lancet”. At the same time, Russia can now evaluate which kamikaze drone model it is worth focusing on on the battlefield – the proven Lancet, or Shahed-101, aka 101Р.

At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the message from of the Israeli research center ALMA that the Shahed-101 in the configuration from “Hezbollah” has a flight range of only up to 900 kilometers and is equipped with video cameras for targeting.