NATO shoots down drones for 2.8 million, 280 times more expensive than the drone itself

Drone for 10 thousand — rocket for 2.8 million

The recent incident over Poland has revealed a serious gap in NATO's defenses. According to The Guardian, Dutch F-35 fighter jets tried to intercept several "lost" Gerber-type drones. The problem is in one figure: one AIM-9X missile costs about $2.8 million. And the drone itself is about 10 thousand. That is, in one shot, as much is lost as is enough for 280 such drones.

It's like shooting sparrows with a cannon and missing.

The F-35 fired at the Gerberas and almost missed

Of the 20 drones trapped in Polish airspace, only 3-4 were shot down. The rest either fell on their own or went back. At the same time, fifth—generation fighters were used - the most expensive and technologically advanced machines in the NATO arsenal.

The fact that even the F-35 with high-precision missiles could not cope with the massive threat raises questions. Not because the pilots are bad, but because the system is not designed for such tasks.

Why is this a problem for the entire alliance

Now we are talking about random drones. But imagine if someone intentionally launches hundreds of cheap UAVs with explosives simulators or just to distract themselves. Every rocket launch is a huge expense. After a dozen such attacks, the air defense budget simply cannot stand it.

NATO is spending billions on technology, but has not yet solved the main issue: how to destroy cheap targets cheaply.

What should I do if the enemy throws cheap drones?

There is a way out. These are lasers, electromagnetic suppression, robotic guns like Phalanx, radio-controlled nets, and drone catchers. Or at least cheaper rockets and machine guns. The main thing is not to respond with a price 280 times more.

In the meantime, each such case reminds us that modern warfare requires not only powerful weapons, but also a reasonable economy.

Sources

1. EADaily — NATO F-35s shot down Gerbera drones over Poland with AIM-9X missiles: $10 k UAV vs $2.8 M missile, 280:1 cost ratio, low kill rate raises NATO strategy questions
2. United24Media — Dutch F-35s use AIM-9X to down Russian Gerbera drones above Poland; drone cost $10 k, missile $2.8 M
3. Alexander Anderson on X — Quick note on AIM-9X vs Gerbera drone cost ratio
4. Wikipedia — AIM-9X Sidewinder: unit cost ≈ $2.8 M, performance & operational use

The Australians showed the Apollo laser, which destroys 50 drones per minute and costs pennies per shot

Laser in a container — mobility as an advantage

The Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has revealed details of its Apollo laser weapon for the first time before the DSEI exhibition in London. The system is packaged in a standard 20-foot ISO container, the same one that is carried on trucks and ships. This means that you have delivered it, connected it, and you are already protecting the object. This mobility is a huge plus for the army, where it takes every hour to deploy.

The Apollo is not a huge installation at the base, but a weapon that can be quickly deployed to where drones have become a threat.

150 kW per target: how it shoots down drones

The laser power is 150 kilowatts. This is enough to burn through the drone's body in a few seconds, disable the electronics or set the engine on fire. The system works on the principle of a "point strike": it focuses on the vulnerable part — most often on the propellers or the battery.

EOS claims that the installation is capable of hitting up to 50 drones per minute. This does not mean that she shoots 50 times — she switches between targets, quickly and accurately, as the beam burns through one, and immediately moves on to the next.

Why is it the "cheapest weapon"

One of the main advantages of a laser is the cost of a shot. A rocket or a bullet costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. And a laser is electricity. One "shot" costs a few cents. Even if you shoot down 100 drones in a row, the costs will be several times lower than from a single rocket launch.

In an environment where enemies are attacking with swarms of cheap drones, this is what makes the laser strategically advantageous. It's not just a weapon — it's the economics of war.

The first deal with NATO is not just a show—off

In August, EOS signed the world's first export contract for the supply of 100 kW class laser weapons with one of the NATO countries. This is not a demonstration, but a real purchase. This means that the system has been tested for combat capability, reliability and compatibility with army standards.

Entering the NATO market is a major breakthrough for the Australian company and for the entire directed energy industry. Now lasers are no longer the "technology of the future" — they are already here.

Sources

1. Focus.ua — Apollo laser weapon vs. drone swarms
2. Building-Tech.org — EOS 100 kW next-gen combat laser for drone defence
3. Armiya.az — EOS exports laser weapon to European NATO member

The US Army has received the first mobile lasers against drones — they are already at the test site

Two prototypes, one laser — how AMP-HEL works

On September 3, AeroVironment officially announced that the US Army has received the first prototypes of mobile laser systems for combating drones. This is not fiction or laboratory testing — two combat samples have already been transferred to the Office of Army Rapid Response Capabilities (RCCTO) as part of the AMP-HEL — Multi-domain, High-Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) program.

The goal is simple — to destroy small and medium-sized drones, which are increasingly becoming a threat on the battlefield.

20 kW, ISV and drones: what's in the build

Each prototype is equipped with a 20 kilowatt LOCUST laser system. This is not the kind of laser that will boil a tank, but it is more than enough to shoot down quadrocopters, reconnaissance drones and even small attack vehicles. The main thing is accuracy and speed. The laser hits the target in seconds, without wasting ammunition and leaving no traces.

All this is installed on the ISV platform, an SUV that the army buys from General Motors Defense. It is lightweight, passable and fits easily into tactical groups. That is, you can take the laser with you, rather than waiting for it to be brought from the base.

Laser on wheels — why is it in the shelf

Previously, anti—drone systems were either stationary or radio-electronic - silencers. The laser is the next level. It doesn't just jam the signal, it destroys the drone itself: it burns through the body, breaks the screws, and disables the electronics.

And most importantly, it's mobile. Imagine: a company is moving forward, and suddenly a reconnaissance drone appears above the forest. After 10 seconds, there is a flash, smoke, and the device crashes. No rockets, no popping. Just a ray of light and the result.

Why is this more important than it seems?

At first glance, 20 kW is not enough. But it's a start. The AMP-HEL program is not about a single laser, but about creating an entire ecosystem of mobile directed energy systems. Today it's 20 kW, tomorrow it's 50, then 100. And not only against drones, but also against missiles, mines and even unmanned boats.

The US Army no longer wants to depend on limited ammunition. The laser works as long as there is electricity. And this is the future of air defense.

Sources

1. Army Technology — AV supplies first US AMP-HEL laser prototypes
2. AeroVironment Press Release — delivery of first two multi-purpose high-energy laser systems to US Army
3. Marketscreener — AeroVironment delivers first two multi-purpose high energy laser systems to US Army
4. Investing.com — AeroVironment delivers first laser weapon systems to US Army
5. Optics.org — AV delivers first two multi-purpose high-energy laser weapons

British soldiers are learning how to control attacking drones from a first—person perspective - like in esports, only with explosives

FPV Drone course at the Bramley Training Ground

In July, a three-week intensive training on a new type of combat drones was held at the Bramley training ground in Hampshire. For the first time, soldiers of the British army began to massively master FPV drones - the ones that fly with a first—person view, as in races for cyber pilots. Only here it's not a sport, but combat training. The goal is to learn how to use small, fast, and deadly drones to target enemy positions.

The course took place from July 7 to July 25 and became part of a large-scale re-equipment of the army to meet the realities of modern warfare.

One—sided attack - the drone crashes into the target and explodes

The tactic is called OWA — One-Way Attack. A drone with a small explosive charge is launched, the pilot sees everything through the camera in real time and directs it directly at the target — be it a bunker, equipment or a cluster of fighters. After being hit, there is an explosion. The drone is destroyed, but the task is completed.

This is a cheap, accurate and flexible way to hit targets, especially in urban environments or when storming fortified positions.

Not just racing — simulations, radio interference and exploration

The training was tough: lectures, hours on simulators, and then field exercises. The soldiers learned not only how to fly, but also how to operate in electronic warfare: when the enemy jammed the signal, they lost control and the drone became a target.

The key point is integration with intelligence. For example, first they launch a regular drone for reconnaissance, find a target, and then the FPV pilot goes on the attack. This is not chaos, but well-coordinated work.

The army's first platoon of drones from parachutists

The program was led by a special platoon of unmanned aerial vehicles from the 2nd battalion of the Parachute Regiment. This is the first unit of its kind in the British army, created specifically for new challenges. Parachutists are the elite, and the fact that they are the ones who take on the development of drone tactics speaks to the seriousness of the approach.

Now they're not just skydiving—they're controlling death from a remote control.

Sources

1. Invoen.ru — overview of British unmanned platforms & army training
2. Vz.ru — RAF trials of RF-directed-energy anti-drone weapons
3. Vesti.ru — evolution of FPV-drone tactics in UK service
4. AIF.ru — UK plan to supply 100 000 drones to Ukraine in 2025
5. RBC.ru — increased production volumes & operator training
6. Overclockers.ru — British army tests swarming-robot C-UAS system
7. Drone Wars UK — 2025 national drone programmes overview
8. Army Recognition — “Hornets Nest” trial: FPV drones launched from Chinook

Elbit Systems is developing an aviation version of the Iron Beam laser system for Israeli fighter jets

Israel launches laser weapons into the air: Elbit is working on an aerial version of Iron Beam

The Israeli defense concern Elbit Systems has begun developing an aviation modification of the Iron Beam laser missile defense system. While the ground-based version of the system is already being tested as part of the Iron Dome ecosystem, its technology is now being adapted for installation on board Israeli Air Force combat aircraft.

This step marks the transition from ground-based laser systems to aerial platforms capable of protecting not only stationary objects, but also aircraft themselves from drones, missiles and other small-scale threats.

How does the Iron Beam work and why is it important to get it into the air

Iron Beam is a directed energy system that uses a high—power laser to destroy targets at short ranges. It is effective against:

Tactical Drones (UAV)

Rockets (like Qassam)

of Small cruise missiles

On the ground, the system complements Iron Dome radars and missiles, reducing the cost of interception. In the air, its task is to defend the fighter and protect a group of aircraft from drone attacks, especially in conditions of intense electronic warfare, where traditional means can be suppressed.

Possible platforms: F-16, F-15 and F-Although Elbit Systems does not officially disclose which aircraft will be equipped with the aerial Iron Beam, analysts suggest that potential carriers may be:

The F-16 Barak is the backbone of the Air Force fleet and is being actively upgraded

The F-15 Baz is a heavy fighter aircraft with high energy output

The F-35 Adir is a fifth—generation stealth fighter where compactness and stealth are critical.

For the F-35, laser integration is particularly relevant: it will allow maintaining low radar visibility without using external suspensions, and at the same time increase survivability in the face of growing threats from drones.

Technical challenges and prospects

Transferring a laser system to an aircraft is a difficult engineering task. She demands:

A compact but powerful laser module

Efficient cooling system

Reliable energy source

High-precision vibration and speed guidance system

However, advances in laser miniaturization and the development of solid-state systems make the project realistic. According to experts, the first tests on the pilot platform may begin as early as 2026-2027.

SkyDefense unveils CobraJet electric unmanned fighter

The American defense company SkyDefense, based in Colorado, has introduced a new development — the CobraJet unmanned aerial vehicle. It is a high-speed electric fighter with vertical takeoff and landing, designed to protect critical infrastructure and military installations.

The CobraJet is capable of speeds of over 200 miles per hour (about 320 kilometers per hour) and is equipped with artificial intelligence, which allows it to autonomously detect, track and neutralize several fast and inconspicuous targets — for example, enemy drones — in a single mission. Its vertical takeoff and landing capability makes it particularly flexible to use, as it does not require a long runway to launch.

The drone's weapons are placed both in the inner compartment and on the outer nodes under the fuselage. It can use guided gliding bombs for pinpoint strikes on land and sea targets, which extends its functionality beyond drone defense tasks.

The development of CobraJet reflects the growing need for fast, autonomous and maneuverable systems capable of effectively countering modern threats, especially in environments where traditional aviation may not be operational enough.

The US Army launches a drone with a Claymore mine — now drones are blowing up enemies from above

The US Army is testing a drone that does not just spy or drop grenades, but carries a whole Claymore mine. Yes, yes, the one with a directional effect, which releases a cloud of balls when it explodes, destroying everything in its path. Only now she's flying through the air instead of lying in the bushes.

Why is this necessary? Everything is simple. Modern battlefields are teeming with small kamikaze drones and infantry hiding in shelters. Conventional defense methods don't always work, especially against threats like quadrocopters that fall from the sky like firebirds. But a drone with a Claymore can become a trap on its own.

Imagine: a drone hovers over an intersection, drops a mine on the ground, and flies away. A minute later, an enemy group enters this place — and bang! — the explosion is directed forward, like from a machine gun. Or another scenario: a drone with a mine flies up to a cluster of enemy drones and explodes itself — turning into an aerial "shrapnel" that knocks down several targets at once.

This approach is a hybrid of exploration, mining, and attack. The drone becomes a mobile mine with remote control. He can work at night, in the jungle, in the city, wherever previously he would have had to risk soldiers.

So far, these are tests, but the direction is clear: the future of war is when even mines fly. And if the Claymore used to be parked by the road, now it can fly right to your roof.

Drones against drones: US Navy puts Coyotes on destroyers to protect against drones

The US Navy is seriously alarmed: drones are becoming more dangerous, especially after numerous attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. And in order not to sit idly by, the navy began urgently installing new weapons on its destroyers — the Coyote and Roadrunner-M interceptors.

We are talking about real "hunter drones" that can fly directly from the deck, catch enemy drones and destroy them — either by a raid or by an explosion nearby. This system is being especially actively implemented on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which often operate in "hot spots" and have been targeted more than once.

Coyote is a small, fast and smart device that can be launched from a launcher like a rocket, and then independently search for a target. It's not heavy, it's not noisy, and it has a good chance of getting to the kamikaze drone before it can strike. And the Roadrunner-M is an even more modern version, adapted specifically to the needs of sailors.

Why is it so urgent? Because the threat is real: cheap but dangerous drones have already set ships on fire, damaged radars, and forced destroyers to dodge. Just shooting missiles at them is too expensive. But catching a "Coyote" is cheap, efficient, and technologically advanced.

Now these interceptors will be part of the ship's automated air defense system, which detects the threat itself and launches the Hunter. It's like putting a video intercom with a security robot on your house - only instead of a thief in a cap, there's a drone flying at 150 km/h.

Britain is testing kamikaze drones: German startup Alpine Eagle creates "suicides" to destroy UAVs

 

The British army is looking for a way to effectively deal with kamikaze drones, and is now starting to use the same tactics itself. The British Ministry of Defense has launched tests with a new type of drones that not only detect enemy UAVs, but attack them directly with full dedication.

The German startup Alpine Eagle, founded in 2023, became a partner in the project. Despite its young age, the company has already developed a drone capable of intercepting enemy drones in the air — literally sacrificing itself by crashing into a target and destroying it on impact. It's like an "aerial samurai": it takes off, finds an enemy, and both fall.

Such drones are particularly effective against small and cheap UAVs, which are increasingly being used in attacks both in Ukraine and the Middle East. Traditional air defense systems (missiles, cannons) are ineffective against them — they are too expensive. But a kamikaze drone can be a cheap, fast and accurate solution.

Testing is still underway, but it is already clear that the future of drone defense is not only in electronic interference or lasers, but also in aerial duels where machines fight each other. And Britain clearly does not want to be left behind.