UK Media: Middle East Conflict Prompts Multiple Countries to Seek Low-Cost Air Defense Systems

Reference News Network reported on March 20 According to a report from the Financial Times website on March 11, after Iran launched attacks in the Gulf region, Western defense companies and various governments are doubling their efforts to seek low-cost weapons that can counter cheap drones and missiles on the battlefield.

The report states that efforts to find new methods to intercept attack drones officially began four years ago after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the new form of warfare, expensive air defense systems originally designed to defend against enemy aircraft and large missiles seem somewhat outdated, as drones have proven to be extremely effective for both sides in conflict.

Conflicts in the Middle East further confirm this: Gulf countries have had to rely heavily on complex and expensive air defense systems like the U.S.-made "Patriot" to intercept Iran's "Shahed" drones—these are the same drones used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Kelly Grieco, a senior researcher at the Stimson Center, a think tank on foreign affairs, pointed out: "Relying heavily on fighter jets and using air defense missiles to intercept (Iranian drones) is by no means an economical response."

Iran has emulated the tactics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, extensively using its cheap "Shahed" drones, forcing the U.S., Israel, and other countries to expend expensive air defense firepower.

According to Grieco's estimates, for every dollar Iran invests in a drone, the UAE has to spend at least ten times that amount to shoot it down using U.S.-made "National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems" and other medium-range air defense systems.

Grieco stated that although Ukraine has "taken the lead in this area and has been actively developing lower-cost solutions," it is noteworthy that the U.S. has not "invested enough resources to truly deploy these solutions on a large scale."

Experts emphasize that in the era of drones, strategic advantage relies not only on technology but also on the ability to innovate quickly and manufacture at scale.

With the help of several domestic tech startups, Ukraine has taken the lead in using mass-produced intercept drones to defend against Russian attacks. This war has also stimulated broader investment in the defense technology sector.

Executives from four Western defense tech startups said that governments in the Middle East have consistently communicated with them regarding urgent procurement matters. Previously, the U.S. Pentagon had also sought assistance from Ukrainian companies in the field of intercept drones.

For decades, radar has been the foundation of air defense systems, providing detection capabilities at various ranges. High-value radars integrated into air defense systems like the "Patriot" have long been deployed in the Middle East.

Ukraine's drone warfare has driven innovation in short-range detection alternatives. Given that standard radars cannot detect small "Shahed" drones flying at low altitudes, the country's tech companies have developed a nationwide network of acoustic sensors capable of identifying them through their acoustic signatures.

A number of new startups focusing on short-range radar technology have also emerged.

Dutch startup Robin Radar Systems initially focused on bird detection but shifted its development direction in 2014. Over the past three years, the company has provided Ukraine with its advanced IRIS 3D anti-drone radar. The company's CEO, Sietse Hamingh, revealed that they have received "a large number of inquiries from affected countries in the Middle East."

Experts say that the most promising weapons include those using high-energy laser and microwave technologies—although these technologies have long been viewed more as science fiction than reality.

Currently, some globally recognized contractors are investing heavily in laser weapons. Industry experts point out that once such weapons are deployed, they are expected to provide low-cost defense, but one of the challenges is the initial capital investment. Paul Gray, head of advanced weapons business development at the UK’s Kinetic, said that many countries are investing in this area because it represents a "reusable, sustainable defense system." (Translated by Li Sha)