Shahed 131 vs 136: Range, Engine, and Warhead Comparison
The difference between the Shahed-131 and the Shahed-136 is that the Shahed-136 is a larger, heavier airframe designed for longer ranges, carrying a heavier payload with a more powerful engine.
Two Airframes in One Family
The Shahed-136 is the larger, longer-range airframe in this Iranian-designed one-way attack family, while the Shahed-131 is the smaller predecessor. Public data from research bodies documents the Shahed-136 at roughly 3.3 to 3.5 m in length, whereas the Shahed-131 measures about 2.6 m long.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) describes the Shahed-136 as an enlarged version of the Shahed-131. CSIS lists a larger frame and a more powerful engine for it, and a warhead range of 20 kg to 50 kg against 10 to 20 kg.
The table below outlines the core baseline metrics established in public reports for both airframes.
| Attribute | Shahed-131 (Geran-1) | Shahed-136 (Geran-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Approximately 2.6 m | Approximately 3.3 to 3.5 m |
| Wingspan | 2.2 m | 2.5 to 3 m |
| Total weight | 135 kg | 200 kg |
| Warhead payload | Approximately 10 to 20 kg | 20 kg to 50 kg |
| Engine type | 38-horsepower Serat-1 rotary Wankel engine | 50-horsepower two-stroke, four-piston engine |
| Cruise speed | Approximately 180 km per hour | Approximately 180 km per hour |
| Published range band | 700 km to 1,000 km (DIA estimate: 900 km) | 1,000 km to 2,000 km (DIA estimate: 2,500 km) |
| Operational introduction | 2019 | 2021 |
| Documented operators | Iran, Russia | Iran, Russia, Houthis |
Size, Warhead, and Engine Differences
The physical dimensions separate the mission profiles of the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136. The Shahed-131 has a 2.2 m wingspan and an overall launch weight of 135 kg, which makes it lighter to transport than the 200 kg Shahed-136.
Warhead capacities reflect that weight disparity. The Shahed-131 carries an explosive payload estimated at 10 to 20 kg, while the Shahed-136 carries between 20 kg and 50 kg of explosive payload.
The two engines differ in type and power. The Shahed-131 relies on a 38-horsepower Serat-1 rotary Wankel engine, whereas the Shahed-136 operates a 50-horsepower two-stroke, four-piston engine, though both propel their airframes at an estimated cruise speed of roughly 180 km per hour.
Range Estimates Vary Across Published Reports
Published flight ranges for the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 differ depending on the evaluating intelligence agency or research group. CSIS lists the Shahed-131 range between 700 km and 1,000 km, while the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) documents a specific estimate of 900 km.
The Shahed-136 shows an even wider band of published flight performance across public assessments. Standard open-source estimates place its operational radius between 1,000 km and 2,000 km, whereas the DIA UAV Book credits the system with a potential reach of up to 2,500 km.
These broad spans are why this page treats published range as a band rather than a single limit.
Naming Conventions: Shahed Designations vs Russian Geran Labels
The Shahed and Geran naming conventions represent distinct national inventories for shared underlying designs. The Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 originate in Iran, where the U.S. Department of the Treasury links Shahed-136 manufacturing to Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).
Russian forces deploy both airframes under domestic designations documented in DIA reports. The Shahed-131 operates as the Geran-1, while the Shahed-136 operates as the Geran-2, with use documented in coverage of the Ukraine-Russia war.
Intelligence agencies treat the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 as separate airframes rather than identical systems.
Limits of Technical Comparison Tables
Specification sheets cannot establish confirmed battlefield efficacy or exact inventory levels. Baseline metrics reflect initial Iranian designs, whereas later Russian-produced units may incorporate structural or payload alterations that differ from baseline specifications.
Pricing estimates also remain imprecise across public defense literature. While CSIS cites a broad estimated cost band of $20,000 to $50,000 for the family, verified contract figures are not published, and this site publishes no confirmed unit price; review military drone cost for general procurement dynamics.
Launch mechanisms described by CSIS include catapult-style rocket-assisted launches, portable rail equipment, and naval vessels. For the defensive side, read counter UAS.
Reading the Platform Profiles
Readers researching specific program histories should examine the individual airframe dossiers. Explore the dedicated entry for the Shahed-131 Geran-1 to review its 2019 introduction and compact airframe design.
For details on the larger airframe, examine the detailed report on the Shahed-136 Geran-2. It covers the system's 2021 operational debut and the Iranian, Russian and Houthi use CSIS documents.
For the wider one-way attack picture, place these systems within our kamikaze drones index or read our analysis of Lucas drone vs Shahed.
Drones and UAS FAQs
What is the difference between Shahed-131 and Shahed-136?
The Shahed-136 is an enlarged version of the Shahed-131, featuring a 3.3 to 3.5 m length, a 200 kg total weight, a larger 20 to 50 kg warhead, and a 50-horsepower piston engine, compared to the 2.6 m length, 135 kg weight, 10 to 20 kg warhead, and 38-horsepower Wankel engine of the Shahed-131.
Which has the longer range?
The Shahed-136 has the longer range, with published figures spanning 1,000 km to 2,000 km and a DIA estimate of 2,500 km, compared to 700 km to 1,000 km and a DIA estimate of 900 km for the Shahed-131.
Are Geran-1 and Geran-2 the same as Shahed-131 and Shahed-136?
Geran-1 and Geran-2 are the Russian military designations for the Iranian-designed Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 systems, respectively, as documented in DIA reports.
How fast are they?
Both systems cruise at an estimated speed of approximately 180 km per hour according to baseline performance data.
What engines do they use?
The Shahed-131 uses a 38-horsepower Serat-1 rotary Wankel engine, whereas the Shahed-136 is powered by a 50-horsepower two-stroke, four-piston engine.
Do the two drones cost the same?
This site publishes no verified unit price for either model; CSIS provides an approximate estimate band of $20,000 to $50,000 for the family, but this represents an analytical estimate rather than a verified production contract price.