Cairo, December 6 - Egypt has reportedly reverse-engineered and locally produced a near-identical copy of Iran’s notorious Shahed-136 kamikaze drone, rebranding it as the Jabar-250. Military analysts confirmed the development after high-resolution photographs emerged from a remote desert facility in western Egypt’s Western Military Region showing rows of the distinctive delta-wing loitering munitions bearing Egyptian Air Force roundels. The Jabar-250 retains the same 2,000 mm wingspan, pusher-propeller layout, and 50 kg high-explosive warhead of the original Geran-2/Shahed-136 design that gained global attention during Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. This homegrown achievement underscores Egypt's push for self-reliance in advanced drone technology, positioning the Jabar-250 as a cornerstone of its expanding unmanned aerial vehicle arsenal.
The drone's public debut came at EDEX 2025, the prestigious Egypt Defence Expo held in Cairo from December 1-4, where it captivated international delegations amid over 400 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge military innovations. Developed by the private firm Tornex in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), the Jabar-250 was displayed alongside its family variants, including the Jabbar-150 and Jabbar-200, highlighting Egypt's burgeoning defense industry under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's patronage. Intelligence sources indicate Cairo acquired several complete Shahed-136 units through back-channel transfers in late 2023, followed by comprehensive technical packages from Tehran, enabling rapid localization at the Helwan Factory for Developed Industries (Factory 999).
Egyptian engineers swiftly established a domestic production line capable of manufacturing airframes, guidance modules, and the Iranian-designed Mado MD-550 four-cylinder piston engine under license. The Jabar-250 reportedly incorporates minor upgrades, including an indigenous satellite navigation module resistant to certain GPS jamming techniques and a new Egyptian-made composite warhead claimed to offer improved fragmentation. With its 2,000+ km range and 14-hour endurance, the drone promises swarm tactics for overwhelming adversaries, drawing crowds at EDEX 2025's unmanned systems pavilion.
The unveiling has triggered alarm across the Middle East and beyond. Israel has quietly lodged protests with Washington, citing the drone’s range as a direct threat to its borders. Gulf states fear the Jabar-250 could arm Egyptian-backed factions in Yemen or Libya, escalating proxy conflicts. Western diplomats note the program skirts the Missile Technology Control Regime, given the Shahed-136’s battlefield prowess. With serial production reaching dozens of units monthly, Egypt joins nations wielding low-cost kamikaze drones, dramatically shifting North African power dynamics and spotlighting Iran’s proliferating drone empire. As export talks buzz post-EDEX 2025, analysts warn the “swarm king” may soon surge into Sahel and Red Sea hotspots.
