APTIran’s low-cost drones are changing the economics of modern warfare. Using Shahed-type “one-way” attack drones that can cost just tens of thousands of dollars, Tehran is forcing adversaries to fire air-defence interceptors worth hundreds of thousands — even millions — of dollars each. From Israel to the Gulf, waves of Iranian drones and missiles are triggering responses from advanced defence systems such as Patriot, Iron Dome and David’s Sling. The result is a striking imbalance: relatively cheap drones can force defenders to spend 50 to 200 times more per interception.
The strategy became visible during Iran’s Operation True Promise strikes and is now spreading across the region. Instead of relying only on large missile barrages, Iran is using repeated drone waves to pressure Israel and US-aligned countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Even when most drones are intercepted, the constant attacks force air-defence crews to remain on alert and drain costly missile stockpiles. Analysts say the tactic turns drones into a “cheap air force” that can be produced in large numbers, exported to allied groups and launched from multiple fronts. As the Middle East conflict evolves, the real battle may not only be about what gets through the defences — but how long defenders can afford to keep shooting them down.
