The US Army has been surging cheap interceptor drone purchases to flip the cost war with Iran's Shaheds

The US-made Merops system, which has logged more than 1,000 interceptions in Ukraine, is deployed to the Middle East.
Army Times

Patriot air defense interception is costly: Here’s how it works

U.S. soldiers conduct a Patriot missile live-fire exercise at MacGregor Range near Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 23, 2025. (Sgt. JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army) As missile and drone attacks intensify across the ...
FDD's Long War Journal

Despite ceasefire, Iran and its militias continue attacking regional states (April 2–8 updates)

Iran and its allied militias launched numerous drones and missiles against regional countries between April 2 and April 8, ...

US sends intercept drones used in Ukraine to blunt Iran strikes

Merops drones cost about $14,000 to $15,000 each, but Driscoll said larger orders could drive that to $3,000 to $5,000 per ...