According to the Financial Times, citing Western security officials and a source close to the Kremlin, Iran in 2026 approached Moscow with a request to provide modern versions of the 'Geran' strike drones. According to the publication's sources, Russia's capabilities in the drone field have grown substantially in recent years, and it is precisely these upgraded machines that Tehran intends to use in a potential conflict against Israel and the United States. This refers to the Russian version of the drones, which Moscow began producing in series in 2023 based on the Iranian 'Shaheds' — since then, the design and technical specifications of the aircraft have changed noticeably.
From 'Shahed' to 'Geran': the evolution of the design
The first-generation 'Geran-1' is capable of carrying a warhead of up to 20 kg and reaching a top speed of about 185 km/h — parameters close to the original Iranian prototype. The 'Geran-5' with a jet engine is significantly more powerful: according to reports, Russia first deployed this model in January 2026. It can accelerate to 600 km/h, carry a warhead weighing up to 90 kg, and travel up to 1,000 km. The changes concern not only flight characteristics: the 'Geran-4' received a more aerodynamic nose section, while the 'Geran-5' design already resembles a cruise missile more than a classic 'Shahed.'
Jet engines and artificial intelligence
The modernization also affected the guidance systems. If early 'Gerans' had relatively simple control systems, then newer versions, according to the FT, are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and AI-based guidance systems. This makes them substantially harder to counter than the first models, which Russia began producing after receiving the Iranian technological base. A key factor was the installation of jet engines on the strike drones: the aircraft became much faster and harder to intercept, which changes the balance in the confrontation with air defense systems.
Kyiv's statements and the interception problem
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the country does not yet have a sufficient number of means to destroy the new fast drones, however, according to him, more than 60 companies are already developing corresponding solutions. This confirms that intercepting jet-powered 'Gerans' remains one of the acute technological challenges for the parties facing these aircraft.
Contradictory data
The version of mass production and deployment of jet-powered 'Gerans', as presented by the FT and Western sources, conflicts with the statements of Ukrainian intelligence. According to data from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), published in open sources, Russia has, on the contrary, ceased production of jet-powered suicide drones and will not produce the 'Geran-3' drones. Thus, one side claims the expansion and modernization of the jet-powered line and its transfer at Tehran's request, while the other claims the winding down of the corresponding production. The difference in assessments may be linked to the fact that 'jet-powered models' in different sources refer to different modifications (for example, 'Geran-3' versus 'Geran-5'), however a direct contradiction regarding the current status of jet-powered drone production remains and requires additional verification.
Regardless of the discrepancies in the details, the very fact of Iran's request to Russia for advanced strike drones, if confirmed, indicates that the technological exchange between the two countries is moving in the reverse direction: now Moscow may act as a supplier of improved versions of what was originally an Iranian development.
