Geran-4

Geran-4 is a jet-powered one-way attack drone fielded by Russia, a faster successor to the piston-engined Geran-2 (Shahed-136) and the earlier jet-powered Geran-3, built specifically to outrun the low-cost Ukrainian interceptor drones that began shooting down large numbers of Geran-2s during 2025.

Note on sourcing

Russia has not released official data on the Geran-4. The specifications on this page are drawn from a technical disclosure published by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (HUR/DIU) on 25 May 2026, reported by Janes and corroborated in outline by other trade press and research organisations. Where sources disagree, both figures are given with attribution rather than a single number.

Overview

Geran-4 belongs to the same family as the original Iranian-designed Shahed-136, which Russia produces domestically as the Geran-2, and follows the earlier turbojet conversion known as Geran-3. Ukraine's HUR assessed that the Geran-3's airframe — essentially the Geran-2's delta wing adapted to a Chinese turbojet — proved structurally weak at higher speed, and that Geran-4 uses a newly designed, reinforced airframe rather than a straight re-engining of the older shape.

According to Janes' reporting of the HUR disclosure, Geran-4 entered combat use over Ukraine from around May 2026. The War Zone and other outlets describe it, alongside Geran-5, as part of a rapid Russian shift toward jet propulsion specifically to defeat cheap first-person-view interceptor drones, which had pushed Ukraine's intercept rate for the slower Geran-2 above 90% by early 2026.

Design and capabilities

Per the HUR disclosure reported by Janes, Geran-4 is 3.5 m long with a 3 m wingspan — a new airframe rather than the Geran-2/3 shape — with a reinforced structure, wings fixed to the centre section instead of detachable, and fewer fuselage access hatches, which HUR assessed may simplify manufacturing as well as strengthen the airframe against high-speed flight loads.

Two turbojet engines have been identified on recovered examples, both made by the Chinese company Telefly: an LX-WP-160 rated at 160 kgf of thrust, and a more powerful TF-TJ2000A rated at 200 kgf. Janes reports a maximum speed of up to 500 km/h with maneuvering speeds of 300–400 km/h, an operating altitude up to 5,000 m, and a range of up to 450 km with a full warhead load. The warhead is reported in 50 kg and 90 kg configurations, the larger one reducing range. Some other outlets, discussing the wider Geran-4/5 programme rather than citing the same HUR technical breakdown, have reported a wider range estimate of roughly 600–850 km; this page uses the HUR/Janes figure as the primary sourced value and flags the higher estimate as a separate, less specific claim.

Operational history

Russian production of jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones is reported to be centred on facilities in Tatarstan. The War Zone reports that by mid-2026 Russia's combined monthly output of Geran-4 and Geran-5 had overtaken production of the original Geran-2, as jet-powered types took on a larger share of long-range strikes into Ukraine.

Frequently asked questions

What is the range of the Geran-4?

Ukraine's HUR, as reported by Janes, gives a figure of up to 450 km with a full warhead. Other, less specific reporting on the wider jet-powered Geran family has cited a broader 600–850 km estimate.

How fast is the Geran-4?

Up to 500 km/h maximum speed, with maneuvering speeds of 300–400 km/h, according to the HUR disclosure reported by Janes.

What engine does the Geran-4 use?

A Chinese-made Telefly turbojet — either the 160 kgf-thrust LX-WP-160 or the more powerful 200 kgf-thrust TF-TJ2000A — replacing the piston engine of the earlier Geran-2 and Geran-3.

How is the Geran-4 different from the Geran-3?

Ukraine's HUR assessed that the Geran-3's airframe, adapted from the Geran-2's slower delta-wing shape, was structurally weak at higher speed; the Geran-4 uses a newly designed, more reinforced airframe rather than that shape.

What warhead does the Geran-4 carry?

Reported in 50 kg and 90 kg configurations, according to the HUR disclosure; the heavier warhead reduces range.

Who operates the Geran-4?

Russia, which has used it in combat over Ukraine since around May 2026 alongside the related Geran-5.