Iran is more involved in the war in Ukraine than it admits. Ukraine and the West accuse Iran of supplying combat drones to Russia. But Iran and Russia deny the allegations. Now Austrian and Swedish loose parts are said to have been found in the drones. What’s behind the mysterious finds?
The website The Drive writes that the Austrian-made Rotax engine for light aircraft was found in a Mohajer 6 drone from Iran. And that’s not the only case. Piles of traffic cameras have been stolen in Sweden, the Bild writes. They also appeared in Russian drones.
The national intelligence team “Operation Opal” is now investigating the matter. Iran is said to have systematically removed Rotax engines from British light aircraft to use them for its own drone engines. One thing is clear: many motorcycles have been stolen in recent years, but there is no trace of it. Norway is also investigating the theft of Rotax engines. Now they suddenly appear in Ukraine.
Manufacturers know nothing
After Ukrainian forces shot down an Iranian Mohajer-6 over the Black Sea, they discovered a missing Rotax 912 four-stroke piston engine, made in Austria. “We take this situation very seriously,” says a press release from the manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH. Its sales partners are not authorized to supply military drone manufacturers to Iran or Russia.
However, “ORF” writes that Italy supplies Rotax engines to Iran and that there are also deliveries to Yemen. Apparently the manufacturer knows nothing about it. Rotax engines are said to be too heavy for kamikaze and shah drones, which have also recently been used in attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the investigations have started. It is also checked whether the engines have ended up in Iran or Russia via a detour.
More than 100 Swedish cameras disappeared
The massive theft of traffic cameras in Sweden also raises questions. The Swedish online portal “Aftonbladet” writes that both traffic and speed camera cameras have been stolen. But apparently not from angry drivers, but from Russia. Sweden fears the cameras have ended up on Russian drones. DSLR cameras are installed in the speed traps. Ukraine has released video of a crashing Russian drone with a camera attached to it much like the Swedish-type traffic camera. It must also be recognizable that the camera was attached to it unprofessionally.
The Swedish police are aware of the case. A total of more than 100 cameras have been stolen since August. (jwg)