Arash-2 is a long-range kamikaze drone (hereinafter referred to as UAV) of Iranian development, presented publicly in September 2022.

The UAV is a modernization and further development of the Arash-1 drone, which has the ability to change directions several times before hitting the target.
The Arash UAV is called a kamikaze drone for destroying enemy air defense system radars.
Iranian sources, with reference to the commander of the ground forces of Iran Kyomarth Heydari, note the arrival of the drone in the country’s service.

The Arash series of UAVs is a development of the jet-powered version of the Kian-2 heavy UAV, often Kian and Arash are referred to by experts as belonging to the same Kian family of drones. The main difference is the use of a cruising propeller engine. The drone has two solid-fuel accelerators, which ensure the start of the flight from the launch platform and reaching a cruising speed of about 100 km / h.

Given the similarity in design of the Kian 2 drone to the Arash drone, the Arash drone is approximately four and a half meters long and has a wingspan of 3.5 to 4.5 m.
Arash can be equipped with optical and thermal imaging scanners to capture various types of targets. The UAV can also detect radar emissions. Suppression of air defense systems was one of the tasks of Kian modernization.
It is possible to launch the UAV from a specialized unified platform and from a container that can also be installed on commercial vehicles,
and using sea platforms, which provides the possibility of concealed transportation.
The announced range of use is 2,000 km, the practical ceiling is 5,000 m.

During the first large-scale military exercises with unmanned aerial vehicles in December 2020, the destructive Arash UAV hit a target in the joint training area after covering a distance of about 1,400 km. The Arash UAV was launched from a container on a commercial vehicle.

In 2020, due to the efforts of the jihadists of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the flight duration of the army kamikaze drones constantly increased to 2,000 km. This is the highest indicator of this type of weapon in the world.

One of the unique characteristics of the Arash UAV is that it has the ability to destroy both stationary and floating targets. Thus, the Arash-2 UAV has anti-ship capabilities. Anti-radar missiles can generally be used as anti-ship weapons by capturing their radars due to the low speed of warships. Previous kamikaze drones
and anti-radar drones also have this capability, but obviously due to the small warhead they may not be suitable for this mission. But the Arash UAV is capable of causing much more damage to enemy ships.

CONCLUSION: the probable main purpose of using the Arash-2 UAV: ​​suppression (destruction) of air defense systems of Ukraine along the course of cruise missiles;
destruction of warships and vessels.

The use of false sources of radar radiation (air defense systems and ship location systems) will probably reduce the effectiveness of using the Arash-2 UAV.

– Iran Air (Iranian state airline controlled by the local Ministry of Infrastructure);
– Mahan Air (the founder is the “Non-Commercial Institute of Molal Movakhedin”);
– Pouya Air (part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military branch of the executive power of the Islamic Republic of Iran);
– Saha Airlines (Part of the Air Force of Iran).

Iran also uses the sea route through the Caspian Sea to transport drones. According to the documents, the Iranians transport spare parts for civil aviation using the port of Bandar Anzali. The destination is Astrakhan or Makhachkala.

In addition to Syria, the plant has been operating in Tajikistan since May. There are also risks of setting up a node assembly in Belarus, because the local “558th aircraft repair plant” in cooperation with the “Kvand IS” company pushed for the creation of its own “kamikaze drones”, which can be a cover for the use of Iranian developments. According to preliminary data, Iran can produce up to 150 drones per month.