Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the UAE are exploring a $2,500 Ukrainian-designed interceptor drone as a cheaper way to counter Iranian attacks that are depleting stockpiles of U.S.-made missiles, a Japanese firm marketing the technology overseas told Reuters.
Since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, Tehran has launched waves of cheap mass‑produced drones, including Shaheds similar to those Russia uses in Ukraine.
Gulf states and U.S. forces have largely relied on costly interceptor missiles to shoot them down, underscoring a broader shift in air combat in which cheaper systems deployed in volume can steadily erode stock of advanced air defence missiles.
"Everyone started doing the maths. It simply doesn't make economic sense and people are finally waking up to that," said Toru Tokushige the Chief Executive of Terra Drone. There has been a surge of inquiries from the Middle East since the war began, he added.
The price of each interceptor drone from Terra Drone is 400,000 yen ($2,526). By comparison, ground-launched Patriot interceptors missiles can cost around $4 million each, while a Shahed drone is estimated to cost as little as $20,000.
In the first week of the Middle East conflict, Iran launched more than 1,000 drones and it is estimated to have the capacity to produce around 10,000 per month.
The Saudi Arabian and UAE embassies in Tokyo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Terra Drone, known for commercial drones, announced its entry into military sales last month through a tie-up with a Ukraine start up, Amazing Drones. It has designed the Terra A1, an interceptor drone, to counter Shahed attacks launched at Ukraine by Moscow.
Under their agreement, the Japanese company will market the interceptor overseas while providing investment and manufacturing know-how.
The Terra A1 has yet to be battle tested and is expected to be handed over to Ukraine's military in the coming months for trials, Tokushige said.
Terra Drone already supplies survey and inspection drones to Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco and could use its presence in the kingdom to help establish interceptor drone production in the Middle East, he added.
"This is an area where Japan's manufacturing strengths can be fully utilised.”
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar wi...
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf...
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the str...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment