What in the World Drone warfare between Iran and the US
Mar 13, 2026
Tim Bowler, BBC Monitoring defence expert, and Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC correspondent on geopolitics, unpack Iran’s mass drone campaign. They describe the Shahed flying bomb, why Iran favors cheap, mass-launched drones, and the costly challenges of defending against swarms. They compare tactics with Ukraine and discuss how drone stockpiles could shape the conflict’s duration.
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Shahed Drones Are Programmed Flying Bombs
- Iran uses Shahed loitering munitions programmed to follow pre-set routes rather than being remotely piloted.
- Bernd Debusmann Jr explains they are essentially flying bombs with explosives in the nose that detonate on impact, making them cheap attack options.
Quantity and Low Altitude Make Drones Hard To Track
- Iran sends masses of cheap, low-and-slow drones to overwhelm defenses because they have low radar signature and many are launched at once.
- Bernd Debusmann Jr notes attackers accept losses hoping a few get through, making swarms strategically effective.
Defending Costs Far More Than Attacking
- Countering drones often requires expensive interceptors, helicopters or aircraft, making defense costs far higher than the drone itself.
- Tim Bowler cites a figure that the UAE spends $28 defending each dollar Iran spends on Shaheds priced $20k–$50k.