Low-Cost But Lethal: Why Shahed Drones Are Iran's Weapon Of Choice In War With US, Israel

Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 14:03 IST

Among the most widely used models is the Shahed-136, a delta-wing drone built to fly long distances and explode on impact.

One weapon has consistently featured in Iran’s military playbook amid the war with the United States and Israel — the Shahed drone. Designed to be simple, inexpensive and effective, these loitering munitions have emerged as one of Tehran’s most practical tools for modern conflict.

Among the most widely used models is the Shahed-136, a delta-wing drone built to fly long distances and explode on impact. Over the past few years, the drone has gained global attention not only for its use by Iran but also for its deployment in the Russia–Ukraine War.

Military experts say the reason for the drone’s popularity in Iran’s arsenal lies in its cost, scale and tactical flexibility. In a potential confrontation with technologically superior militaries such as those of the United States and Israel, the Shahed offers Tehran a way to offset its disadvantages through what strategists call asymmetric warfare.

What Are Shahed Drones?

Shahed drones are Iranian-made loitering munitions, designed to fly towards a target and explode on impact rather than return to base like conventional drones. The most well-known model, the Shahed-136, has a distinctive triangular or delta-wing design and is powered by a small rear-mounted propeller engine. These drones are typically pre-programmed with GPS-based navigation and can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres before striking their target. Because they are relatively simple to manufacture and significantly cheaper than ballistic or cruise missiles, Shahed drones are often launched in large numbers to overwhelm air defence systems and carry out long-range attacks on military or infrastructure targets.

In the ongoing conflict, Shahed drones have become one of Tehran’s primary retaliation tools, used in large waves against military bases and infrastructure across the Middle East. Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards US-linked military facilities in countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where American troops are stationed. One major target was Al Dhafra Air Base. While most drones were intercepted, debris caused minor structural damage and falling fragments near Zayed International Airport killed one civilian and injured several others.

Iran also launched large drone and missile barrages toward the UAE’s major cities, with some explosions reported near landmarks such as Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab. A drone blast near the Fairmont The Palm injured four people and damaged nearby buildings. Iran also fired drone and missile waves towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by systems like Iron Dome. Even when intercepted, the large number of drones has strained regional air defences and forced countries to use costly interceptor missiles against relatively cheap weapons.

A cheap weapon with strategic impact

One of the defining characteristics of the Shahed drone is its price. Estimates suggest a unit can cost tens of thousands of dollars, a fraction of the cost of advanced missiles or fighter aircraft. The estimate cost of one unite is approximately $20,000.

By comparison, interceptor missiles used by advanced air defence systems can cost millions of dollars each. Systems such as Patriot missile system or Iron Dome are designed to stop incoming threats, but shooting down large numbers of cheap drones can become financially draining.

This imbalance gives Iran an important strategic advantage. Even if many drones are intercepted, forcing an opponent to expend expensive missiles against inexpensive drones creates what defence analysts call a favourable cost exchange.

In prolonged conflicts, such cost dynamics can place enormous pressure on air defence resources.

Simple design, easy production

Another key factor behind the Shahed’s prominence is its simplicity. Unlike high-end military drones equipped with sophisticated sensors, satellite communications and real-time control systems, the Shahed is built with a relatively straightforward design. The drone typically follows a pre-programmed flight path, guided by satellite navigation and internal systems.

Its structure is also basic — a lightweight airframe with triangular wings and a small engine mounted at the rear. Many of the electronic components used in the drone are commercially available, which allows production even under international sanctions.

Because the drone is meant to crash into its target, it does not require expensive landing systems or long-term durability. This makes it easier for Iran to produce large numbers quickly, an important factor in wartime.

Strength in numbers

Individually, a Shahed drone is not particularly sophisticated or fast. But Iran’s strategy does not rely on individual drones — it relies on numbers.

Military planners believe the drones are most effective when launched in large waves or swarms. Multiple drones approaching simultaneously can overwhelm radar systems and air defences, forcing defenders to divide their attention across numerous incoming threats.

This tactic increases the chances that at least some drones will penetrate the defence network and strike their intended targets.

The drones can carry explosive payloads capable of damaging military bases, radar installations, energy facilities or infrastructure. While the warhead is smaller than that of a ballistic missile, the cumulative effect of multiple drone strikes can still be significant.

Supporting larger missile attacks

Shahed drones can also serve as support weapons in broader strike operations.

Analysts say they may be launched ahead of ballistic or cruise missiles in order to saturate air defences. By forcing radar systems and interceptors to focus on the incoming drones, defenders may have fewer resources available to stop more powerful weapons arriving shortly afterward.

In this sense, drones can act as a first wave, weakening an opponent’s defensive shield before larger strikes.

A pillar of Iran’s asymmetric strategy

For Iran, the growing emphasis on drones reflects a broader military doctrine.

Countries like the United States and Israel possess advanced fighter jets, stealth aircraft and sophisticated missile systems. Competing with those capabilities directly would require enormous resources. Instead, Iran has focused heavily on missiles, drones and unconventional tactics designed to challenge stronger militaries in indirect ways.

Changing the economics of warfare

The rise of the Shahed drone highlights a major shift in modern warfare: cost efficiency is becoming as important as technological sophistication.

While high-tech weapons dominate headlines, relatively simple systems that can be produced cheaply and deployed in large numbers are increasingly shaping battlefield dynamics.

For Iran, the Shahed represents exactly that kind of weapon — affordable, scalable and capable of challenging even the most advanced air defence networks.

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