Shahed

Shahed is a word of Arabic origin meaning "witness" or "martyr," derived from the root shahid. In Persian and Arabic usage, Shahed is also used as a male given name, with transliterations including Shahid, Shaheed, and Shāhid. In Islamic tradition and various communities, the term can appear in different forms and spellings.

As a given name, Shahed is used in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. The spelling and pronunciation vary by language and locale, but the root meaning related to witnessing or martyrdom remains common across contexts.

In modern military terminology, Shahed refers to a family of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed for surveillance and strike roles. The series includes several models such as Shahed-131 and Shahed-136, among others, produced by Iran’s aerospace industries and deployed by various actors in armed conflict. These drones are generally described as loitering munitions or suicide drones, designed to loiter over targets and deliver a payload.

The Shahed UAVs have drawn international attention for their use in contemporary conflicts, notably in the Russia–Ukraine war that began in 2022, where they have been documented as part of larger drone operations. Reports and assessments of their performance and impact vary, reflecting evolving capabilities, countermeasures, and strategic usage.

Overall, Shahed encompasses both a linguistic and cultural given name element and a designation for a family of Iranian UAVs, illustrating how a single term can traverse language, identity, and modern military technology.