The production of UAV "Geran-2" and the concern of the United States
UAV "Geran-2" over Ukraine. Photo AFP
Almost a year ago, the Russian army first used the Geran-2 strike unmanned aerial vehicles, the existence of which had not been reported before. Moreover, even after the start of mass use, official structures are in no hurry to disclose all the data on new UAVs. With all this, the Geraniums have attracted the attention of foreign armies and intelligence agencies, and now they are trying to determine the origin of Russian drones, places of production, etc.
In an atmosphere of secrecy
The combat use of the Geran-2 UAV began in September 2022, shortly after the Ukrainian terrorist attack on the Kerch bridge. Such drones, together with cruise missiles, were used to destroy enemy infrastructure, military and dual-use. The characteristic design features and performance characteristics made them an effective strike tool.
According to the results of studying the wreckage of the arrived UAVs, Ukrainian experts and their foreign patrons made an interesting conclusion. It was alleged that the Russian "Geran-2" is actually a renamed Shahed-136 drone of Iranian design or its localized version.
Several arguments have been put forward in favor of this assumption. The main thing was the similarity of the exterior and design of the Russian and Iranian UAVs. In addition, during the past summer, rumors circulated in the foreign press about regular visits by Russian officials and specialists to Iran and vice versa. It was assumed that the purpose of such trips was the agreement on "Shahedah" / "Geran" and the organization of production.
A fragment of a drone used in one of the first strikes, September 2022. Photo by Telegram / ImpNavigator
This information has not been confirmed. The Russian Ministry of Defense and other departments did not comment on foreign versions of the origin of Geranium-2. Official Tehran, in turn, denied the possibility of exporting such UAVs.
Official information about the Geranium-2 project is still practically absent. The creators of the project and manufacturers of serial equipment, the performance characteristics and capabilities of the product, etc. remain unknown. Probably, all this information will be revealed later, when the situation allows it.
Anonymous sources
Products "Geran-2" attracted the attention of foreign intelligence, and now they are trying to get any available information. Some of the information is published in the open press. However, the reports of the foreign press should not be overestimated - the published information may not correspond to the real state of affairs and pursue specific goals.
At the end of last year, US officials and the press called the main version of the Iranian origin "Gerane". With reference to its intelligence, it was alleged that Russia was receiving ready-made drones from Iran. Evidence of this was not given - for reasons of secrecy. In addition, it was reported that Moscow and Tehran are actively working to launch the production of "Shahedov-136" on Russian territory.
Iranian UAV "Shahed-136" on the launcher. Photo Telegram / Dambiev
The alleged details of such cooperation were revealed in early February by The Wall Street Journal. From unnamed sources in the US leadership, the publication learned that in early January, a delegation from Iran arrived in Moscow. It included the high command of the IRGC Air Force and the leadership of the Quds Aviation Industry aircraft corporation. The topic of the visit was allegedly the construction of a new plant in Russia and the launch of the production of "Shahedov" / "Geranei".
According to the WSJ, the plant should be built in Yelabuga (Tatarstan). After launch and reaching the design capacity, it will be able to produce up to 6 thousand UAVs of the Gerani-2 type annually. At the same time, it is planned to upgrade the original drone. He should get an engine with improved performance.
According to intelligence
Apparently, the possibility of launching the production of Iranian UAVs at a Russian plant has interested the United States and, perhaps, even worries them. In this regard, the alleged processes of Russian-Iranian cooperation are now monitored by the US intelligence community. From time to time, it reveals the obtained data - naturally, confirming the previously expressed point of view.
In April, US intelligence released a satellite image of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan that allegedly showed the construction of a future drone factory. The facility is said to receive regular shipments from Iran. Russian officials did not comment on these reports.
Russian and Iranian UAVs of various types at a recent RUMO event. Photo by DIA USA
On July 21, the US Department of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) held a briefing on the topic of Russian strike UAVs and the alleged “Iranian trace”. The event showed the wreckage of used "Geraniums" and "Shaheds", incl. preserved key units. Representatives of the RUMO once again drew attention to the marking of individual products and UAVs in general and pointed to the foreign origin of Russian weapons.
In addition, they again touched upon the production of drones in Iran and Russia. According to the DIA, the source of which is not specified, the Iranian industry transferred to the Russian army more than 400 Shahed-136 products, later renamed Gerani. To date, this "air fleet" is almost completely used up.
The Pentagon expects that the plant under construction in Alabuga will be launched by the end of the year, and then it will produce its first products. The enterprise will be able to produce orders of magnitude more equipment than Russia received from Iran. The growth in production and supplies will give the Russian army completely new opportunities for the use of strike UAVs and pose a danger to Ukraine.
The DIA noted that the briefing is being held to provide the public with "irrefutable evidence" of military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The directorate was going to show that Iranian equipment was involved in hostilities against Ukraine. In fact, the event was not technical, but political. Therefore, the information announced on it should be treated critically - it should be borne in mind that Washington has the most direct relationship to the current situation and acts in accordance with its own interests.
Details of used drones. Photo by RUMO
Cause for concern
The US interest in Russian strike UAVs, as well as in other modern equipment and weapons, is quite understandable. "Gerani-2" appeared unexpectedly for the enemy and his patrons and seriously improved the ability of our army to strike at distant targets. Such drones have a number of characteristic features that make them a convenient tool for massive and effective raids. All this could not fail to attract the attention of foreign experts.
The Geran-2, like the Shahed-136 similar to it, is distinguished by its simple design - well-mastered materials and manufacturing technologies are used, and there are no overly complex and expensive components on board. The cost of one UAV in a series, according to various sources, does not exceed 18-20 thousand US dollars, due to which the drone is much cheaper than any cruise missiles.
The plastic/composite airframe reduces radar visibility, and the piston engine generates insufficient heat for reliable infrared detection and targeting. The power plant with a pusher propeller limits the speed to 220-250 km / h, but gives high efficiency, and the flight range can exceed 2-2,5 thousand km.
"Geran-2" carries a high-explosive warhead weighing tens of kilograms. In addition, according to foreign sources, in the latest series of UAVs, a cumulative fragmentation warhead is used, which literally scatters cumulative jets and ready-made submunitions around itself. The results of detonating such warheads can be seen in numerous videos made by random operators.
Kili "Shaheda" (left) and "Gerani" (right). Photo by RUMO
Drones "Geran-2" are regularly used by the Russian army, and in each strike of this kind, up to several dozen of these products are involved. The results of such strikes and their consequences are well known. Despite the boastful Ukrainian reports on the work of air defense, our Geranium-2s, by themselves and together with other weapons, successfully destroy all the intended targets and inflict significant damage on the enemy.
Work continues
The presence in Russia of a similar weapons, cheap, massive and effective, obviously worries a real and potential enemy. In particular, Washington is afraid that Geraniums will contribute to the speedy demilitarization of Ukraine, and its bet on the Kiev regime will lose. At the same time, attempts to repeat the Ukrainian scenario and use other countries and regimes against Russia will immediately face a response in the form of strike UAVs and other systems.
That is why the United States seeks to “expose” Iranian-Russian cooperation as soon as possible and, if possible, to prevent it. In addition, they are concerned about the expected expansion of production due to the new plant, which will only worsen the position of the Kyiv regime and potential enemies of Russia.
Meanwhile, the Russian industry does not pay attention to American statements and activities - it fulfills an order for the production of the necessary weapons and equipment, including strike UAVs. Our army, in turn, uses the received "Gerani-2" and causes damage to the rear and infrastructure of the enemy. The opinion of third countries does not interest them at all.
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