Shahed-136
Coverage of Shahed-136 in the Nexus archive.
- Shahed-Type Drones Filmed During Attack on Mali Villages
Bellingcat geolocated footage of Shahed-136 type drones in Mali, confirming their use in strikes on Inafarak (July 12) and Talahandak (July 17). Experts suggest the drones were likely Russian-manufactured, given the presence of the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps and Russia's military support to Mali. The strikes targeted commercial facilities, with evidence verified through satellite imagery and open-source analysis.
- X-Bow out to tackle cost quandary with sub-$100,000 drone interceptor
X-Bow Systems unveiled Buckler, a sub-$100,000 drone interceptor designed to neutralize Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at supersonic speeds. The system addresses the cost imbalance of using multimillion-dollar interceptors against cheaper threats like Iran’s Shahed drones, with X-Bow emphasizing in-house production to avoid supply chain bottlenecks.
- Japan joins the global craze to field interceptor drones
Japan plans to deploy autonomous interceptor drones by 2027 to counter threats like Shahed-136 drones, citing U.S. missile stockpile strains and regional security concerns. The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency is fast-tracking acquisitions, while Terra Drone, a Japanese firm, has tested similar systems in Ukraine with positive feedback.
- Russian Shahed Drone Downed in Mali, Marking First Potential Use in Africa
Local rebels in Mali reportedly shot down a Russian Shahed-136 drone, marking the first potential use of this weapon system in the Sahel region of Africa. Ukrainian sanctions official Vladislav Vlasyuk warns that Russia is expanding its drone warfare tactics to Africa by sourcing civilian electronics from Western and Chinese manufacturers.