Specialists from the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tested the engine of the Shahed 161 drone during a defence exhibition held at the National Aerospace Park on November 11, Fars News reported.

The Shahed 161 is one of the IRGC's indigenous drone achievements, designed for reconnaissance, surveillance and combat missions. It has a maximum operational range of 150 kilometres, a take-off weight of 170 kilogrammes, endurance of two hours, a flight ceiling of 26,000 feet and a cruising speed of 135 kilometres per hour.

The drones are increasingly used in swarm attacks, featuring AI-enabled autonomous targeting and coordination, making them a significant threat to air defences.

The aircraft can carry two bombs of up to 50 kilogrammes each, as well as optical payloads for surveillance missions. Its take-off type is a vehicle launcher.

At the exhibition, the IRGC also displayed advanced versions of other drones from the Shahed family, including the Shahed 131, Shahed 171, Shahed 191 and Shahed 238.

Iran's Shahed drones have attracted global attention, particularly after their deployment by Russia in the war in Ukraine. Their low cost and accuracy have impressed military specialists worldwide, whilst prompting the United States to reverse-engineer the systems for training and counter-drone operations.

Iran has deployed its domestically built drones alongside missile strikes against Israel, most recently during the 12-day conflict in June, which began with Israeli forces targeting senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

The drones are increasingly used in swarm attacks, featuring AI-enabled autonomous targeting and coordination, making them a significant threat to air defences.

The cost per unit is estimated at $35,000–$60,000, making them a cost-effective weapon for sustained attacks, which has become a defining feature of recent wars, including Iran's war with Israel and Russia's use of the low-cost weapon against Ukraine, as bne IntelliNews previously reported.

Earlier on November 8, Russia launched one of its heaviest air assaults in months overnight, striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with missiles and drones and causing widespread blackouts across major cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, using a version of Iran's low-cost drones dubbed "flying lawnmowers" by Russian troops.