The Cheap Iranian Kamikaze Drones Wreaking Havoc in Ukraine and Israel | WSJ Equipped

[Persian Gulf]

Russia has used thousands of Shahed-type drones in Ukraine to limited effect. There is plenty of visual evidence of wreckage of these drones in Ukraine indicating successful intercept in each case, but Russia can mass produce these drones for use so the issue continues.

Russian lancet is found to be the most dangerous and combat-effective drone in war in Ukraine in fact, this drone struck many military vehicles and killed many soldiers. This is a fact that even Ukraine acknowledged. If the idea is to understand how to handle Russian threat in war then focus should be on its lancet series. These are true killers.

in the most recent major Russian drone + missile strike on Ukraine (August 26, 2024), Ukraine alleges that it intercepted 99/109 Shahed class drones: https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...ttack-kyiv-ukraines-military-says-2024-08-26/

While this c. 90% interception rate (10% success rate) seems high (and it is), the Shahed-136 is designed to be extremely cheap and used in large numbers to saturate defences and ensure at least some penetrate and reach their designated targets. It seems to be doing this job well.

With a $40,000 cost per drone (estimates vary from $20,000-$50,000), that attack cost c. $4 million and delivered 10 precise strikes on various Ukrainian targets from a large distance (Shahed-136 has a claimed 2500km range). That's approximately the price of one Iskander ballistic missile (which has a more destructive warhead but at a shorter range).

I do not mention the significant air defence depletion and associated costs (financial and fatigue) for Ukraine's air defence in defending against 109 drones (harder to quantify, but very real).

 

[KingQamaR]

You don't want to be an infantry man in today's wars. (and going forward) Its just frightening now the way you can be seen from afar and not even know you're being seen. How do you fight against such a situation?

 

[hussain0216]

If nothing else, they serve as a simple tool to deplete a enemies air defences before a more considerable defence

Or they are used as part of a large attack to saturate the air and make it more likely for better missiles to get through

It's a great idea

 

[Lulldapull]

Not for long..cheaper gun base systems will make them obsolete pretty soon. I doubt even today they are much of threat...a nausence but not a threat

The onboard sensors detect targeting radars and the AI alters course/ altitude and avoids the threat. These 136 models are getting old now and some of the newer ones have been seen with various E/O sensors like FLIR and image recognition. Nobody pilots these via radio control bhai. Putting a C-4 gatling or Flak panzer/ Gepard or Oerlikons systems everywhere is not feasible. In many attacks these serve as the distraction/ decoys, and then income the ballistic missiles or cruise missiles in a layered multi platform attack. What you see on propaganda footage of hezb or Hamas $500 Katyushas getting intercepted is a deliberate attempt by the resistance forces to deplete the enemy defenses. The real ordnance comes in later like the Grads or the M-90's or the Fateh-110's or these drones.

The last Hezb attack was wildly successful. The Hezb drones like the Ababil/ Meraj flew so low that they couldn't be targeted at all.

 

[Lulldapull]

in the most recent major Russian drone + missile strike on Ukraine (August 26, 2024), Ukraine alleges that it intercepted 99/109 Shahed class drones: https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...ttack-kyiv-ukraines-military-says-2024-08-26/

While this c. 90% interception rate (10% success rate) seems high (and it is), the Shahed-136 is designed to be extremely cheap and used in large numbers to saturate defences and ensure at least some penetrate and reach their designated targets. It seems to be doing this job well.

With a $40,000 cost per drone (estimates vary from $20,000-$50,000), that attack cost c. $4 million and delivered 10 precise strikes on various Ukrainian targets from a large distance (Shahed-136 has a claimed 2500km range). That's approximately the price of one Iskander ballistic missile (which has a more destructive warhead but at a shorter range).

I do not mention the significant air defence depletion and associated costs (financial and fatigue) for Ukraine's air defence in defending against 109 drones (harder to quantify, but very real).

Kalibr export price is $6.5 million per unit. That older Tochka is even more expensive. Onix/ Kinzhal prohibitive costs. I don't believe Russia can wage war in Ukraine without Iranian assistance.

 

[Hack-Hook]

Have Hezbollah got these drones?

The drone is a big 2500km range drone when hezbollah need to attack Europe they'll get that