Why the Shahed-136 has become one of the world’s most discussed military drones

The Shahed-136 is a one-way attack drone, not a reusable UAV, and its low price plus mass production make it a disruptive weapon.

In Ukraine, Russia has used it in large coordinated strikes, forcing defenders to spend far more on interceptors than the attacker spends on the drones.

Its simple design and cheap manufacturing create a major cost-exchange problem and put heavy stress on air defenses.

As a leading loitering munition, the Shahed-136 is reshaping how modern wars are fought and defended against.