A sales representative for one company acknowledged that a so-called ‘model plane’ listed online was in fact a copy of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, adding that it could be armed with explosives and shipped to Russia if required.
As Iran continues to deploy swarms of suicide drones, similar unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are appearing for sale online, often disguised as civilian products. On the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba, several listings categorized as commercial drones closely resemble the Shahed-136, a loitering munition capable of carrying a warhead of up to 90 kilograms and designed to overwhelm air defenses in coordinated attacks.
Although Alibaba prohibits the sale of military equipment, the platform has recently faced scrutiny over listings advertising “cruise missiles” and “suicide attack drones,” some of which have since been removed. However, other listings using less explicit language remain active. Defense & Tech identified four such listings for apparent Shahed-136 copies, priced between $6,000 and $40,000.
Two listings identify the drone as the Mosquito SM200G, while the others share identical specifications, including wingspan, speed, and fuel capacity. The design closely mirrors the Shahed-136, featuring a rounded nose and delta wings, though the copies appear smaller, with a reduced payload of დაახლოებით 10 kilograms and a top speed of about 150 km/h.
While most listings include warnings about Alibaba’s prohibition on military and dual-use drones, at least one lacked such labeling and was marketed simply as a “model plane.” Direct communication with the seller confirmed its military potential and export willingness.
Despite export restrictions imposed by China in 2025, similar drones continue to be marketed domestically under various names, openly described as “suicide drones” or loitering munitions—highlighting gaps in enforcement and the ease of circumventing safeguards.
Source: The Jerusalem Post