Missiles and drones push Middle East air-defense costs higher

Iranian missiles and drones have swept across the Middle East, forcing the US, Israel, and Gulf states to expend numerous costly interceptors and draw on critical weapons stockpiles. The Pentagon said Iranian forces launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 one-way attack drones since US and Israeli combat operations began Saturday morning.

Gulf states reported downing at least 500 ballistic and cruise missiles and 1,300 drones. Analysts estimate interceptor spending climbed rapidly: a Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis put the cost at $1.7 billion for the first 100 hours of the conflict as a midpoint, with a low-end estimate of $1.2 billion and a high end of $3.7 billion.

Air defenses in the region rely heavily on the American-made Patriot system and its PAC-3 interceptors, which are estimated at roughly $3.7 million each; doctrine calls for firing at least two interceptors per incoming missile.

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