The Pentagon has a drone problem — and it’s getting expensive

The growing use of Iranian drones is highlighting the high cost of defending against low-cost aerial threats, according to Oz Sultan of the Sultan Interactive Group.

Sultan points to US forces using Hellfire missiles, which can cost around US$80,000 each, to intercept much cheaper drones.

He argues the imbalance is becoming increasingly important as drone warfare expands across the Middle East and Ukraine, creating a need for smaller and more affordable interception systems.

The shift could put greater focus on low-cost air defence technologies designed to counter large numbers of drones without relying on expensive missiles for every engagement.