The Russian drone Geran-4 has been revealed: Chinese turbo engine, speed of 500 km/h, range of 450 km.
According to Defence-UA and Kyiv Post, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR MO) revealed in its assessment published at the end of May 2026 that the new attack drone Geran-4 equipped with a jet engine features two different jet engines made by China.
- Engine: Telefly LX-WP-160 (main) and Telefly TF-TJ2000A — jet engine made by China
- Speed: ~500 km/h
- Range: ~450 km
- Warhead: 50 kg HE or thermal / 90 kg thermal
- Production target: 500 units per month
- First combat use: January 2026 (reveal), May 2026 (series)
Why was Geran-4 produced?
Since 2022, Russia has been using Geran-2 drones based on the Shahed-136 in mass attacks. However, the capability of Ukrainian FPV drone defense, consisting of electronic warfare and radar networks, has increased its ability to counter these attacks; the interception rate of propeller-driven Geran-2 drones has risen. Russia’s response was the jet-powered Geran-4.
China’s Role: Telefly Engines
According to the GUR MO report, both types of engines used in Geran-4 are produced by Telefly Communication Equipment Limited. The TF-TJ2000A was previously discovered in Geran-5 as well. The export of these engines to Russia is a finding that documents the issue of direct dual-use under Western sanctions.
| Parameter | Geran-2 | Geran-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion System | MD-550 Propeller (China) | Telefly LX-WP-160 Jet Engine (China) |
| Speed | ~185 km/h | ~500 km/h |
| Range | 1,000–2,500 km | ~450 km |
| Warhead | 40 kg of explosives | 50–90 kg of explosives / thermobaric |
| Feature | Long range, low cost | High speed, difficult to evade |
NATO and Regional Context
According to Meta Defense, if Russia reaches its monthly production target of 500 units of Geran-4, Ukraine’s current interception capability may reach a saturation point. The drone traveling at 500 km/h limits the actual response time for most existing short-range air defense systems to just a few seconds.
What Does This Mean for Turkey?
- The range of STM KUZGUN exceeding 1,000 km surpasses the 450 km range of Geran-4; Turkey has a competitive platform in this category.
- ASELSAN Electronic Warfare Systems (ÇAFRAD, KORAL) enhance effectiveness against high-speed jet-powered targets.
- Turkey’s support for Ukraine with TB2/TB3 has been elevated to a greater strategic dimension with the serial deployment of Geran-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Geran-2 and Geran-4? Engine: Geran-2 is a propeller (slow, long range), Geran-4 is a Chinese jet engine (fast, short range). Geran-4 has been optimized for difficulty in evasion.
Which country does Telefly come from? China. The export of LX-WP-160 and TF-TJ2000A engines to Russia highlights documented dual-use sanction issues.
What does 500 a month mean? Ukraine intercepts 30-50 drones daily. 500 Geran-4/month will create new pressure in terms of volume and speed.
Conclusion
Geran-4 is the clearest evidence that Russia is trying to outpace drone technology through its partnership with China. The jet engine, high speed, and increased warhead weight directly challenge the interception structure that Ukraine has built over the past two years.
