UK universities aided Iranian drone programmes, report claims
Image from video broadcast by Iranian Al-Alam TV, showing a Shahed-136 UAV about to hit a test target in April 2021. (Photo: Al-Alam)
According to media reports, researchers at universities aided the development of Iranian drones.
An investigation by the Jewish Chronicle found that at least 11 UK universities had been involved in producing ‘at least’ 16 studies with potential Iranian military applications.
One Iranian-funded project researched improvements to drone engines to offer speed, altitude and range benefits.
Elsewhere researchers worked with Iran on communications, military aircraft materials and coatings for armour plating.
Related Articles
Iran and Russia weigh risks and rewards from potential UAV deal
Mobility and deception keeping Ukrainian air defence systems intact
Sukhoi Su-35 fighters for Iran to arrive imminently amid controversy over jet's combat success
The JC cited Cranfield University as somewhere that work with Iran had taken place, as well as Cambridge and Imperial College, among others.
One study looked at upgrading the engines used by the Shahed-136 direct attack munition, which has been used extensively by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine,
The UK maintains an arms embargo on Iran and a ban on the supply of missile-related goods and services.
So-called ‘dual-use’ technology is also restricted.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
