Amid a sharp escalation in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Iran has claimed it used its long-range “Arash-2” drone to target Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, a key civilian and economic hub, in its latest round of strikes.The development comes as both sides continue to exchange attacks, as the conflict now in its fourth week shows no sign of abating, including strikes on Tehran’s energy infrastructure across the region. Iranian state media described the attack as part of its ongoing retaliatory operations, though there is no independent confirmation of the extent of damage at the airport.Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said “Arash-2” drones were the main systems deployed in the strike, calling them “a more advanced and destructive model than the ‘Kian’ and ‘Arash-1’ drones,” according to Mehr news agency.
What is the ‘Arash-2’ drone?
The “Arash-2” is a long-range loitering munition, commonly referred to as a kamikaze drone, developed by Iran and publicly unveiled in 2022. It is an upgraded version of the earlier “Arash-1” system and is designed for deep-strike missions.Iranian officials have previously indicated that the drone was developed with the capability to target key Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Range and payload
According to Iranian military officials and defence reports, the “Arash-2” has:
- A range of up to 2,000 kilometres
- A warhead weighing approximately 260 kg
- The ability to strike long-distance targets across the region
This range allows it to reach Israeli territory from within Iran without requiring forward deployment, according to Times of Israel.
Technology and capabilities
The drone is designed with features aimed at improving survivability and strike accuracy:
- Low radar cross-section, making detection difficult
- Ability to detect radar emissions, aiding suppression of air defence systems
- Equipped with optical and thermal imaging systems for targeting
- High flight endurance, enabling long-duration missions
Iranian officials have also highlighted its relatively low production cost compared to other advanced systems, describing it as “cost-effective” for sustained use.
Launch and deployment
The “Arash-2” can be launched from multiple platforms, including:
- Ground-based launchers
- Containerised systems
- Naval platforms
It uses solid-fuel boosters and is designed for flexible deployment across different terrains.
Why Ben Gurion Airport is significant
Iranian officials described Ben Gurion Airport as a strategic target, citing its central role in Israel’s connectivity and trade. With Israel facing maritime and land access constraints, a large share of its international movement depends on air routes.Any disruption to the airport could have wider economic and logistical implications.
Iran’s drone programme
Iran has expanded its unmanned aerial vehicle programme in recent years and has been accused by Western countries of supplying drones to allied groups and partners, including Russia.According to Ukraine’s defence intelligence, Tehran has supplied hundreds of drones, including Shahed-136 and Mohajer-6 models, to Russia. CNN has also reported plans involving over 1,000 weapons, including drones and missiles. Iranian instructors are expected to assist in training.
