Iranian drone attacks put pressure on US air defenses, with Ukraine offering a solution

Iran’s increasing use of low-cost attack drones is putting pressure on U.S. and allied air-defense systems, highlighting a growing challenge in modern warfare.

The drones, often referred to as Shahed drones, are relatively inexpensive to produce, but can cause significant damage when launched in large numbers.

An instructor from the Ukrainian company General Cherry demonstrates the operation of an anti-air interceptor drone designed to destroy Russian attack drones in Kyiv region, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

The estimated cost to manufacture an Iranian Shahed drone varies by model, but most analysts place it in the $20,000 to $50,000 range per unit. But the missiles used to shoot them down can cost hundreds of thousands — or even millions — per interception.

The imbalance has raised concerns that prolonged drone campaigns could drain U.S. and allied defensive stockpiles.

Shahed drones have become more prominent because they:

• Are cheap compared to missiles
• Can be launched in large numbers
• Are difficult to intercept with traditional air defenses
• Can overwhelm defensive systems

An anti-air interceptor drone designed to destroy Russian attack drones from the Ukrainian company General Cherry is seen during a demonstration in Kyiv region, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine said it might have a solution for the U.S.

After years of defending against similar Iranian-designed drones used by Russia, Ukrainian engineers have developed low-cost interceptor drones designed specifically to destroy incoming drones.

The interceptor drones are far cheaper than traditional missile-based defenses and could provide a more sustainable way to protect military bases and infrastructure.

“Ukraine had to fight smart and didn’t have rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles, stuff like that, so they turned to these kinds of drones to sort of equalize the battlefield,” Alex Roslin, who is a spokesman for the Ukrainian nonprofit miltech company Wild Hornets, told Fox News Digital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media on Thursday to say he hopes the U.S. will reconsider a drone production deal amid its war in Iran. A day prior, he said his nation “already sent expert teams to three countries” in the Gulf region to help counter Iran’s shahed drones.

“These are essentially the same attack drones that the Iranian regime supplied to Russia and taught the Russians to use,” Zelensky wrote on X.

“Today, Ukraine has the greatest expertise in the world in countering ‘shaheds’ — from developing interceptors to establishing a systemic defense against drones,” he added. “It is not enough simply to obtain interceptors somewhere — there must also be experience in using them. Our warriors have such experience. There must also be proper systemic work with radars and with the entire air defense system. Ukraine is ready to share this experience for the security of those partners who are helping us.”