Russia continues to improve its Geran-2 drones at a literally blinding pace. The latest upgrade is particularly blinding: a rear-facing IR LED “flashlight” designed to dazzle helicopter pilots hunting Shahed drones at night using night-vision goggles.
In September 2025, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reportedly stated during a press conference that Ukrainian helicopters shoot down up to 40% of the drones in their operational areas.
The rear-facing IR flashlight could also blind Ukrainian interceptor drones equipped with simple IR sensors for night interception.
Typically, interceptor drones use IR sensor guidance to ram into Geran-2 drones mid-air; some are equipped with small warheads. These interceptor drones cost between $2,000 and $3,000. After launch, they are initially cued onto their targets visually or based on radar tracks.
The rear-facing Geran IR flashlight would not be effective against interceptor drones equipped with high-quality thermal imagers. However, such drones would be significantly more expensive, adversely impacting the cost-benefit ratio.
Recent Geran-2 Upgrades
The following are some other recent upgrades to the Geran drone variants:
1. Russian forces have deployed an interceptor variant of the Geran drone capable of launching R-60 air-to-air missiles. The Soviet-era short-range missile is mounted on a launcher on top of the drone. After launch, the heat-seeking missile can autonomously home in on its target.
A Russian Geran-2 drone may have scored its first air-to-air kill, creating aviation history. A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade was lost in combat on December 17, 2025. Circumstantial evidence points to the use of an air-to-air missile by a Geran drone.
The interceptor variant of the Geran drone operates as part of a swarm that includes other Geran drones configured for electronic warfare, photo reconnaissance, ELINT, communication relay, and decoy missions.
When launched from a fast-flying fighter aircraft, the R-60 has a range of 7–10 km. When launched from a slow-flying drone, its range would be significantly less.
2. The drones are now reportedly equipped with Chinese-developed CRPA antennas housed inside their fuselage, making them more resilient to electronic warfare (EW). CRPA antennas—short for Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas—are advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antennas designed to resist jamming and spoofing.
3. They feature a much heavier warhead (approximately 90 kg) compared to kamikaze drones such as the Lancet (approximately 3 kg) or FPV drones (approximately 1–3 kg).
4. They fly at higher altitudes, remaining beyond the effective reach of MANPADS and air-defense guns.
5. They feature forward-looking electro-optical (EO) sensors and mesh-network communication links, enabling remote piloting and precision strikes against moving targets.
6. They are being mass-produced at scale, keeping costs under control despite these technological upgrades. According to preliminary estimates, monthly production of Geran-2 drones in Russia has reached a sustainable level of 6,500–7,500 units.
7. Ukrainian sources have reported that Geran-2 drones are now equipped with a self-destruct capability, a development that appears logical in view of the increasing sophistication of the drone. Russian forces need to protect the electronics and mechanical equipment on the drone to prevent Ukrainian forces from developing countermeasures.
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