Iran strengthens deep strike operations on high-value targets with new Shahed-107 suicide drone.

On June 16, 2025, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force formally introduced the Shahed-107, a new loitering munition with extended range, as reported by multiple Iranian state and semi-official media outlets, including Tasnim, Fars, and Mehr. The drone was revealed during the military confrontation between Iran and Israel, which began on June 13 and has resulted in widespread strikes from both sides.
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The Shahed-107 is a suicide drone equipped with a piston engine, a common choice in the Shahed family, which reduces noise emissions compared to jet engines and extends endurance for reconnaissance and loitering missions. (Picture source: Iranian MoD)

The next day, on June 17, 2025, Israeli forces conducted several airstrikes against missile and drone production facilities in western Iran, including Tabriz, and claimed responsibility for the assassination of Major General Ali Shadmani, who had recently been appointed as a commander within both the IRGC and the regular Iranian army. Iranian authorities responded by arresting alleged Mossad-linked individuals in Alborz and Isfahan provinces and shutting down a suspected drone workshop in the Shahr-e Rey district of Tehran.

The Shahed-107 is a suicide drone equipped with a piston engine, a common choice in the Shahed family, which reduces noise emissions compared to jet engines and extends endurance for reconnaissance and loitering missions. Its configuration is reported to include a fuselage of approximately 2.5 meters in length and wings spanning around 3 meters. This loitering munition appears to be based on the earlier Shahed-101 design, sharing its fuselage layout, engine type, and compact proportions. Images published by Iranian media confirm a pointed nose, rectangular wings with ailerons, and a front-mounted Pitot tube, suggesting the presence of speed measurement and navigational instrumentation. The drone is believed to be capable of flying over 1,500 kilometers, although no official technical documentation has been made publicly available. According to Iranian and Russian defense sources, the drone likely uses composite materials and an internal rotor layout that reduces acoustic detection by up to 75% compared to similar drones. Some sources have also claimed the Shahed-107 can carry up to 100 kilograms of explosives and may be launched using vehicle-mounted catapults or solid-fuel boosters, though this remains unverified.

The Shahed-107 appears to differ from earlier Iranian loitering munitions such as the Shahed-136. While the Shahed-136 is typically deployed in large numbers to saturate enemy air defenses, the Shahed-107 is believed to be intended for targeted strikes against high-value assets. Iranian sources claim the drone is equipped with a live video transmitter, enabling it to conduct surveillance and relay real-time imagery to ground operators. This capability is consistent with reported footage showing a drone resembling the Shahed-107 approaching an Israeli Arrow-3 missile defense system, though the authenticity of these images remains disputed. Iranian reports suggest the drone was used during “Operation True Promise 3,” a retaliatory strike campaign against Israel. In theoretical combined drone operations, the Shahed-107 could transmit imagery of air defense systems exposed by swarm drones like the Shahed-136, thereby enabling more precise targeting by missiles or other drones. Unlike the larger Shahed-129 and Shahed-149 Gaza, the Shahed-107 is not intended to return after mission completion and is optimized for single-use, short-notice engagements.

Foreign media reports, particularly those published by Sky News in January 2024, indicated that Iran had offered several Shahed-107 drones to Russia for use in Ukraine. According to a security source cited in the report, the units were valued at over $2 million in total and may have been specifically adapted to locate and strike high-value targets such as M142 HIMARS MLRS systems deployed by Ukrainian forces. The same source stated that Iranian and Russian personnel jointly tested both Shahed-107 and Shahed-136 drones at an airbase in central Iran. The drone was described as a loitering munition with reconnaissance capabilities, including live video transmission. Its compact size and extended range allow it to be launched from vehicles, with reported configurations using either solid-fuel boosters or launch trolleys. The drone’s range and flight profile potentially enable it to bypass defensive systems and transmit data to coordinate follow-up attacks. The reports came despite repeated denials from Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi, who stated during the UN General Assembly in 2023 that Iran opposed the war in Ukraine and was not supplying drones or missiles to any side.

Ukrainian officials have expressed concern that the Shahed-107 may represent a new phase in Iranian drone development, designed to force Ukrainian forces to expend high-end interceptors such as Patriot missiles. A Ukrainian source cited by Sky News acknowledged the likelihood of the drone’s existence and highlighted that Russia was highly dependent on Iranian drone supplies, which it continuously adapts to operational needs. The same source indicated that Russia had established local manufacturing of Shahed-136 drones in the Tatarstan region and estimated that up to 4,000 units could be produced annually by September 2025. These developments are occurring alongside alleged plans for Iran to deliver short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, with claimed ranges exceeding 300 kilometers. International media reports from early June 2025, citing American officials, confirmed that Iran was preparing to send such missiles, possibly from the Fateh or Ababil series, and that contracts had already been extended to this effect. These missiles are considered more difficult to intercept than drones, increasing the burden on Ukrainian missile defense systems.

The Iranian unveiling of the Shahed-107 has drawn additional attention due to its timing within the broader context of Iranian drone exports and regional use. The drone has reportedly been developed to engage both military and dual-use infrastructure, with battlefield deployment scenarios including reconnaissance of forward positions, real-time transmission of target coordinates, and final engagement with an explosive payload. The configuration aligns with broader trends in Iranian drone strategy that emphasize modular, expendable systems with multi-role potential. This approach is consistent with prior use of drones such as the Shahed-129 for longer-range missions and the Shahed-136 for area denial. Reports have indicated that the Shahed-107 may be used for more selective operations, potentially involving ISR missions over extended durations prior to final engagement. Analysts note that the integration of reconnaissance systems into a loitering munition provides Iranian forces or partners with greater flexibility in shaping engagement strategies and adapting to evolving battlefield conditions.

The Shahed-107 expands the inventory of Iran's Shahed drone family, which includes a wide range of unmanned aerial systems from early models like the Shahed-101 to the larger Shahed-149 Gaza and jet-powered systems such as the Shahed-238. Its debut marks the entry of a new tactical platform designed to occupy an intermediate role between mass saturation drones and larger, longer-endurance UAVs. It is not intended to function as a strategic deterrent but rather as a platform for limited-range, high-impact engagements. Iranian media emphasize its tactical role and suggest it will be used against "valuable enemy assets" instead of area targets. Its small size and reduced radar cross-section may enhance survivability in contested environments. Independent reporting suggests the drone is likely part of a broader Iranian strategy to diversify its loitering munitions and maintain operational pressure in both regional and extra-regional theaters. As of late June 2025, no independent technical evaluation has been published confirming all claimed specifications or operational results.