Shahed Aviation Industries

About Shahed Aviation Industries

Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center is an Iranian aerospace company specializing in designing and manufacturing military helicopters and a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company is associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF) and the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA). Its product line includes loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze or suicide drones, as well as reconnaissance and combat UAVs.

The company gained international prominence for its Shahed-series drones, which have been widely deployed in various conflicts. A key moment in the company's development was the reverse-engineering of a captured American Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel UAV in 2011, which led to the development of models like the Shahed 171 Simorgh and Shahed 191. The company produces a variety of drones, including the Shahed-129, a reconnaissance and attack drone; the widely used Shahed-136 loitering munition; and the newer, jet-powered Shahed-238. These UAVs are known for being cost-effective, with production costs for the Shahed-136 estimated between $20,000 and $50,000.

Shahed Aviation's business model is centered on supplying the Iranian military and exporting its drone technology. Russia is a major customer, having purchased and started its own production of Shahed drones (rebranded as Geran) for use in the war against Ukraine. The company has been sanctioned by the European Union, the United States, and Canada for its role in supplying these drones to Russia. Despite sanctions, the company reportedly sources commercial parts from various countries, which are then imported to Iran through third-party nations.