Russians Redesign Shahed Drones to Conceal Chinese CRPA Antennas
Russia has modified the design of its Shahed kamikaze drones to conceal Chinese-made CRPA (Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna) systems — a move that signals Moscow’s confidence in a long-term partnership with Beijing.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Dzerkalo tyzhnia.
Electronic warfare expert Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov stated that Russian engineers have altered the drone’s body to make it harder for Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems to detect and suppress.
According to Beskrestnov, interceptor drone operators recently began spotting Shahed UAVs without visible external antennas, sparking a wave of speculation among observers.
“The factory has modified the Shahed body to accommodate specific Chinese antennas,” he explained. “This means the enemy is confident in long-term and stable cooperation with China.”
The changes appear to relocate the antennas from the wings to the central body of the drone, effectively concealing them and improving resistance to jamming. Beskrestnov shared images of a downed Shahed to demonstrate this new configuration.
The expert warns that such modifications pose a serious challenge for Ukraine’s defense systems, as these advanced antennas protect drones from standard EW interference. “Current systems can only provide reliable protection for critical infrastructure,” he emphasized.
Back in May, Beskrestnov noted that Russian forces were using 4-element and 8-element CRPA antennas, while 12- and 16-channel versions were still under development. However, by July, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that Russia had already begun deploying these more advanced models — and is now experimenting with new antenna placements.
CRPA technology plays a crucial role in modern warfare. These active navigation systems defend GPS-guided weapons against jamming and spoofing, allowing them to maintain accurate trajectories even under electronic attack.
The integration of Chinese CRPA components, thus, marks another escalation in the ongoing technological race between Russian offensive capabilities and Ukraine’s electronic defenses.
As The Gaze reported earlier, exports from China of fiber optic cables and lithium-ion batteries to Russian drone manufacturers have risen sharply, demonstrating Beijing's commitment to the principle of “unlimited partnership” with Moscow.