How Iran’s Cheap Drones Are Testing US Air Defenses
News Desk
Islamabad: Low-cost Iranian attack drones are posing a growing challenge to advanced and expensive Western air defense systems, raising concerns among defense experts about the sustainability of current military strategies.
According to a report by the The New York Times, Iran has launched more than 2,000 Shahed drone loitering munitions during recent attacks involving the United States and Israel.
Despite extensive air defense measures, several of these drones reportedly managed to reach their intended targets.
The Shahed drone is a triangular-shaped loitering munition measuring about 11 feet in length and carrying explosive payloads. The drone can be launched from the back of a truck, making detection and interception difficult before launch. Long-range variants are capable of flying up to 1,200 miles.
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Experts say the relatively low cost of the drone is a key factor behind its effectiveness. Each Shahed drone is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $50,000. In contrast, the Patriot PAC‑3 interceptor missile used to shoot down such threats costs more than $3 million per launch.
Production limitations also add to the challenge. According to the report, US defense contractor Lockheed Martin delivered only 620 interceptor missiles in 2025.
Speaking about the threat, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is deploying all available anti-drone technologies, including the relatively low-cost Raytheon Coyote interceptor and electronic warfare systems designed to disrupt drone operations.
However, defense analysts warn that relying on expensive missiles to counter large numbers of low-cost drones could become economically unsustainable during prolonged conflicts.
In response, the Pentagon has accelerated efforts to develop more affordable countermeasures and drone technologies. Among them is a new US drone system known as LUCAS drone system, which is reportedly being developed using design concepts similar to the Iranian Shahed drones.
The development highlights a broader shift in modern warfare, where relatively inexpensive unmanned systems are increasingly capable of challenging sophisticated and costly military defenses.
