Marketplace Tech How low-cost drones are used in modern military strikes
Mar 19, 2026
Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the defense program at CNAS and expert on drone warfare, explains how modern low-cost drones reshape conflict. She discusses Iran’s reliance on cheap strike drones, how commercial parts and global supply chains enable mass production, and why layered, local defenses and jamming are crucial as attackers adapt.
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Shahed-136 As Primary Iranian Weapon
- Iran's Shahed-136 and the U.S.
Shahed Built From Commercial Parts
- Iran assembles Shahed variants from cheap commercial parts and Western electronics.
- They use off‑the‑shelf navigation and engines bought through intermediaries, making supply‑chain cuts ineffective.
Affordable Drones Expand Strategic Reach
- Low‑cost drones extend strike range to hundreds or thousands of miles, changing strategic reach.
- These weapons are