The Israeli research group Alma, which analyzes security challenges on Israel's northern border, identified two of the manufacturing facilities for the Iranian Shahed 136 Drone this week as well as the faces behind Iran's drone program.
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In a report obtained by i24NEWS, Alma identified two civilian companies that are allegedly operated by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Tehran and that manufacture components for the Shahed drone. It also named some of their top scientists, two of whom it managed to identify with pictures.
Alma uses open-source information to track down alleged Iranian IRGC-affiliated drone factories. Their report said both companies change their names from time to time, possibly in order not to be targeted by Western sanctions imposed on Iran.
Shakad Sanat Asmari (also known as Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia) was identified as one of those manufacturing companies. It is said to manufacture parts for the Iranian aviation industry. The company's chief scientist and former CEO was identified as Ehsan Rahat Varnosfadrani. In 2022 he published a book about the development of a new system to help a pilot control his plane.
The second company responsible for the Shahed 136 drone was named as Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif (or Daria Fanawar Burhan Sharif). Its CEO is said to be Ehsan Imaninejad. The company was founded in 2016, specializing in the development of communication and optical systems as well as electronic circuits.
Tal Beeri, who heads Alma's research department, said that the Shehad 136 drone poses a specific threat to the entire world. "it is a drone that is easy to handle, can reach long distances and is relatively cheap."
He said that most people became aware of drone warfare only in the context of the war in Ukraine. But they have been used before, such as in an Iranian attack on a ship owned by an Israeli billionaire in the Gulf of Oman, last November.
"The psychological aspect should not be underestimated. The drone can be seen in the sky and its sound can be heard by civilians. They are sending dozens and not all of them can always be intercepted," Beeri stated.
The researcher also assumed that Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah will use drones in a potential military escalation with Israel. "The public is not aware enough of the dangers posed by drones," he told i24NEWS. "It is a new type of global threat, and I hope that Israel is aware of the information about the Iranian companies."
Alma said the Shahed Kamikaze 136 is currently used as the main suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Iranian arsenal. It has been used by Russia in its war in Ukraine. According to Alma's previous publications, Iranian drones have also been found in African countries, as well as in Venezuela.
The White House assumed that Russia is deepening its defense cooperation with Iran and received hundreds of one-way attack drones that it is using to strike Ukraine. For Kyiv, it is an alarming development.
Natalia Gumenyuk, a spokesperson of the Southern Ukrainian Defense Forces, said today that they recently experience fewer drone attacks, which could indicate that a new shipment is around the corner. "We can absolutely say that they have the understandings to continue these shipments," she said.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
