> Additionally, given that the expensive parts in these drones seem to be homemade in Iran (engines, fuselage, even some of the electronics), and given the sanctions, USD equiv. GDP isn't a great metric since there's no free market to convert Iranian production to USD.
I wouldn't be so sure that the parts are locally sourced.
Not the same type of hardware. They might need larger engines for their reusable drones, but the ones they used for Shaheds are in-house clones (funnily enough, a Wankel engine for one of them). The Wikipedia pages for the suicide Shaheds has teardowns and sources.
I wouldn't be so sure that the parts are locally sourced.
[0] https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/bizarre-theft-wave-tar...