Iran’s Use of Shahed Drones Reveals Complex Sourcing Tactics With Chinese Involvement

Iran’s deployment of Shahed drones in warfare sheds light on the intricate global sourcing strategy that involved collaboration with China. The development of Shahed drones drew inspiration from a design pioneered by the U.S. and West Germany. However, Tehran’s manufacturing process required parts from various countries, including Western nations and China. Notably, even components from the West were often funneled through shell companies in mainland China or Hong Kong to obscure their true origins. Over time, these foreign parts were gradually substituted with locally produced elements, as per insights from former U.S. officials, Ukrainian officials, and analysts. The integration of…