Ukraine War's Most Devastating Drones, Ranked

Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, there have been a number of different military tactics used, including the use of several types of drones.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has continued to say that it has destroyed numerous Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drones that were sent by Russia. On Thursday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces also said that they believe Iran is sending new Arash-2 drones to Russia and helping to train Russian troops on how to use them.

While Iran has denied reports that they are supplying drones to Russia, Reuters reported on Thursday that British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is expected to announce new sanctions on Iran regarding its drones and their uses in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. In addition to the Iranian-made drones being used by Russia, Ukraine has also been utilizing U.S.-made Switchblade drones, as well as Bayraktar TB2 drones, produced in Turkey.

Newsweek has compiled a list of the drones used in the war and their differing technologies and capabilities.

Shahed-136 Drones:

In an operational update on October 12, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said that the Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones "are slow and fly at low altitudes making lone aircraft easy to target using conventional air defences."

The operational update also said that these drones have a range of about 2,500 KM and "only has a small explosive payload."

While speaking with Newsweek on Thursday, Katherine Lawlor, a senior intelligence analyst at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that the Shahed-136 is a kamikaze drone and noted that they are "pretty small and very slow."

According to Lawlor, the Shahed-136 drones can be shot down by a number of air defense methods, including a gun. Lawlor also noted that the payload size carried by a Shahed-136 drone is around 80 to 90 pounds and its explosive power is equivalent to "about three artillery shells."

Arash-2 Drones:

The Arash-2 drones are also manufactured in Iran and the ISW said that they are "purportedly faster and more destructive than the Shahed-136 drones that are currently in use by Russian forces."

Lawlor told Newsweek that Iranian officials have claimed that the Arash-2 drones are "faster and larger" than the Shahed-136 drones, but noted that she has no evidence to support their claims.

Switchblade Drones:

The Switchblade drones, which are being used by Ukrainian armed forces, are developed by the U.S.-based defense company, AeroVironment and include two different types: the Switchblade 300 and the Switchblade 600.

According to AeroVironment, the Switchblade 300 has a range of around 10 KM and can reach dash speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. The Switchblade 300 drone can also be carried in a backpack as it only weighs around 5.5 pounds. This drone is designed to execute a precision strike with low collateral damage, the defense company said.

The Switchblade 600 drone has a longer range (up to 90 KM) and is also able to travel at dash speeds of up to 115 miles per hour. However, the Switchblade 600 is heavier but "empowers the warfighter with quick and easy deployment via tube-launch, and the capability to fly, track and engage non-line-of-sight targets and armored vehicles with precision lethal effects without the need for external ISR or fires assets," AeroVironment said.

Baykar Drones:

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones have also been used by Ukrainian armed forces throughout the ongoing war.

"Bayraktar TB2 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE), Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capable of conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and armed attack missions," the Turkish defense company Baykar said.

According to Baykar, the TB2 drones can fly at speeds ranging from 70 knots (80 miles per hour) to 120 knots (138 miles per hour) and can carry a payload size weighing 150 kilograms or 330 pounds.

Correction: 11/10/22 4:19 p.m. ET. This article has been updated to remove a line that said the Shahed-136 drones could be shot down by radar and to fix a quote from Lawlor.