Offence vs Defence

Cost comparison .

Iranian drones & Missiles

• Simple drones: $ 20-35k each

• Precision Missiles : $ 1- 5 million each

Traditional Missile Defence: ( Israel & US)

• Interceptors: $50k- $4 million per shot

• Single use: each interceptor is fired once and then spent

• Cost imbalance: cheap drones can rapidly deplete expensive interceptors stockpiles

Strategic Risk:

• If cheap drone and missiles are not stopped in a short period of time, the rapid depletion of expensive , single use interceptors can bring a Country’s Defence budget and stockpiles to the brink within days, leaving it vulnerable.

Iron Beam: Israel’s laser Game Changer

• Type: High energy laser system operational since late 2025

• Targets: Short range rockets, mortars , drones

• Cost per shot: $ 3 – 10 in energy

• Single use advantage: effectively unlimited shots

Giovanna Cipriani