Shahed-136 vs IAI Harop
Shahed-136 and Harop are both expended in attack, but that shared outcome hides different targeting concepts. Harop is associated with supervised loitering engagement; Shahed-136 is commonly discussed as a long-range one-way strike system whose terminal configuration must be identified.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | Shahed 136 | IAI Harop |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company) | IAI |
| Country of origin | Iran | Israel |
| Mission role | One-Way Attack / Loitering Munition / Strategic Infrastructure Strike | Loitering Munition / SEAD |
| Year introduced | 2021 | 2009 |
| Length | 3.5 m | 2.5 m |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m | 3 m |
| Height | 0.6 m | 0.5 m |
| Maximum speed | 185 km/h | 417 km/h |
| Published range | 2,500 km | 1,000 km |
| Endurance | 10+ hours | 6 hours |
| Service ceiling | 4,000 m | 4,572 m |
| Payload | 40-50 kg warhead | 23 kg warhead |
| Weight | 200 kg | 135 kg |
| Armament | 40-50 kg HE warhead (integral); some variants carry thermobaric or shaped-charge warheads | 23 kg anti-radiation warhead (integral) |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
The meaningful comparison concerns target search, operator involvement, seeker fit and mission planning. Do not assume a coordinate-oriented attack system provides the same moving-target selection or abort options as a particular loitering weapon. A common kamikaze label is not a technical specification.
Understanding Shahed-136
Shahed-136 is a propeller-driven one-way attack aircraft. It delivers an expendable strike effect rather than returning from a sensor-and-weapons sortie like an armed reconnaissance UAV.
Separate reported range, actual demonstrated routes and warhead variants; common usage of loitering terminology does not prove every version has the same terminal seeker.
Understanding IAI Harop
Harop is a loitering weapon associated with operator-supervised target engagement and suppression missions. Its targeting concept is different from assuming a pre-planned long-range one-way strike against a fixed coordinate.
A loitering munition's seeker, control link and abort options require model-specific evidence rather than a blanket kamikaze-drone label.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Shahed-136 and IAI Harop catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Shahed-136 and IAI Harop?
Shahed-136 and Harop are both expended in attack, but that shared outcome hides different targeting concepts. Harop is associated with supervised loitering engagement; Shahed-136 is commonly discussed as a long-range one-way strike system whose terminal configuration must be identified.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the Shahed-136 and IAI Harop profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- Shahed-136: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- IAI Harop: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.