From War Drone to Toy: Iran’s Tech Inspires Russia
WANA (Nov 03) – While drones are usually associated with concepts like military technology and aerial combat, Russia has recently launched a plastic, child-friendly version of one of its well-known models. Russian Amazon unveiled a toy called “Geran-2”, designed for children over three years old, which bears a notable resemblance to the real drone of the same name.
The body of this plastic drone is designed in light gray with angular lines to evoke the feeling of a real aircraft. However, its unique—and somewhat controversial—feature is a small opening in the nose intended for attaching small firecrackers or incendiary materials.
This feature allows the drone to produce light and sound resembling an explosion when launched or when it hits an obstacle—a spectacle the manufacturer describes as a “realistic flying thrill experience.”
Drones are seen at a site at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on April 20, 2023. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
From the Battlefield to the Toy-Store Shelf
The original model of this drone, Geran‑2, is the Russian version of the Iranian drone Shahed‑136, a drone that in recent years has become one of the most important tools of drone warfare in the region. Russia has used the Russian model of the Shahed‑136, produced under the name “Geran‑2.”
Now this technology has moved away from the battlefield and entered the world of toys. The striking similarity between the real example and the plastic model has surprised many social‑media users. In videos released from Russian stores, parents are seen giving this small drone to their children — children who excitedly place a small firecracker in its nose to experience a “practice explosion.”
Inspired by Iranian Technology
Although this product is officially introduced as a Russian toy, the roots of its design go back to Iran. The Shahed‑136 drone, which served as the basis for the Geran‑2, is one of Iran’s best‑known drone productions in the last decade. This drone, with a body of about 3.5 meters, an approximate weight of 200 kilograms, and a range of around 2,500 kilometers, was designed for suicide operations and precision strikes.
Drone Toy, Geran-2. Made in the Czech Republic. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Technically, the Shahed‑136 has a rear‑mounted piston (pusher) engine and delta‑shaped wings, which allow it to fly stably at low altitude and keep production costs low. Its combined guidance system (INS and GPS) enables it to fly toward a target without requiring continuous communication with a control center.
Its warhead weight is usually between 30 and 50 kilograms, making it, at a much lower cost than ballistic missiles, an effective weapon for penetrating advanced air‑defense systems.
The Shahed‑136 was first introduced in Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) exercises, but it gained worldwide notoriety. This drone, according to experts, was also used during the 12‑day war between Iran and Israel.
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Interestingly, after observing this drone’s performance, Western experts described it as one of the most effective low‑cost weapons of the century. Following this, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it is working on a similar project called LUCAS to develop a system with capabilities close to the Shahed‑136—an action that demonstrates the extent to which Iranian design has influenced contemporary global military dynamics.
The transformation of Iranian military technology into an entertainment product in the Russian market is a multifaceted phenomenon. On the one hand, it shows that Iran’s technological products are recognized even outside military contexts. On the other hand, its symbolic aspect is notable: technology initially designed for combat has now become part of children’s play and imagination—from the battlefield sky to the playground.
This plastic drone may seem like a simple toy, but its cultural and media impact indicates that the influence of Iranian technology is no longer confined to the battlefield; rather, it has, in a sense, inspired new images of power, innovation, and even entertainment.
