War in Ukraine: Shahed-238, the Iranian jet

The Shahed-238 embodies a new generation of offensive drones characterized by speed, range, and reduced cost. Used in the war in Ukraine, it complicates interception and reveals an industrial strategy where fast and mass production weighs as much as technology.

Faster, cheaper, and designed to saturate defenses, the Shahed-238, produced by Iran, redefines the role of kamikaze drones in the war in Ukraine. Powered by a derivative of the Toloue family’s micro-turbojet engine, this munition with a reaction radius can reach speeds estimated between 500 and 700 km/h, according to the Institute for the Study of War and several OSINT observers. Much more difficult to intercept than a Shahed-136 helicopter, it drastically reduces the reaction time of Ukrainian air defense systems.

Its range, estimated between 2,000 and 2,500 kilometers by various open-source analyses, allows it to strike deep targets well beyond the front line, reaching major cities and energy infrastructure located in the rear. Beyond its raw performance, the Shahed-238 stands out for its modularity, a valuable asset in modern conflicts.

The central issue remains the cost-effectiveness ratio. While the exact cost of this version is still debated, estimates place armed Shahed drones between tens of thousands and over 100,000 dollars depending on configurations and open sources. A Western air-to-air missile used to intercept them can cost several hundred thousand to several million dollars each. During the massive strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure in 2024 and 2025, the combined use of drones Shahed and missiles illustrated this saturation strategy: Ukrainian defenses are forced to deplete expensive munitions on cheap targets.

In the background, the Shahed-238 symbolizes the rise of a true industrial war. According to estimates relayed by US and UK intelligence officials and cited by several specialized media, Iran and Russia have significantly increased their production capacities, with facilities able to roll out several hundred Shahed drones per month.