Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Grossi: We are not waiting for what may happen in the indirect negotiations, and we are aware that Iran’s stance on them will greatly impact other matters.
Grossi: Enrichment in Iran is not prohibited, but a country accumulating it and approaching weapons-grade levels cannot be overlooked.
Grossi: The situation in Zaporozhye, Ukraine, is fragile, and the ongoing deterioration of infrastructure continues to affect nuclear safety.
Grossi: We will have talks about the report, and we are talking about facts that do not need interpretation.
Grossi: What I cannot say is that there is a confirmed lack of clear answers from Iran, but there are new elements that did not exist in 2015.
IAEA director-general Rafael Grossi: We found some issues, but there is no conclusive evidence to suggest the existence of an unnatural nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Iran has always demonstrated goodwill, but the International Atomic Energy Agency is under pressure from the E3 and other countries.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: We will soon present our proposal to the other party through Oman, and the United States should seize this opportunity.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Uranium enrichment is an inseparable part of our nuclear industry, and no country has the right to impose dictates on Tehran in this regard.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: We have prepared measures to respond to any decision against us at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.

Kiev western allies grow wary, weary of low-cost 'Iranian drones': NYT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Jan 2023 21:55
  • 6 Shares
5 Min Read

The report notes that downing a drone with an anti-air missile is seven times more expensive than launching one.

  • x
  • A drone is seen in the sky in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
    A drone is seen in the sky in Kiev, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

The low cost of Iranian-made drones allegedly used by Russia, as opposed to the cost of the missiles used by Kiev to counter them, is creating a "growing problem for Ukraine and its allies", The New York Times reported on Thursday.

"Ukraine is getting more and more skilled at knocking down drones, but there is a growing imbalance," the report added.

The cost of many of Kiev's weapons such as its anti-aircraft missiles exceeds that of the drones which might be in Moscow's favor in the long run, the news outlet said citing military experts.

Based on these facts, "some military experts wonder if the successes are sustainable," noted the news site.

Read more: 'Russia-Iran drone axis' a power to be reckoned with: Israeli media

NYT detailed the expense difference between the drones and their counter missiles.

"The self-destructing drones can cost as little as $20,000 to produce, while the cost of firing a surface-to-air missile can range from $140,000 for a Soviet-era S-300 to $500,000 for a missile from an American NASAMS."

Ukrainian officials are warning that Russia is "aware of the risk that Western allies may grow weary of the cost of supporting Ukraine’s defense," which led Moscow to adopt new tactics.

According to the report, Kiev's concerns were "heightened by the transfer of leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives to the Republicans."

"For now, Moscow has changed how it is using the drones it already has in hand," NYT said.

An expert on the Russian army at CNA, a federally-funded nonprofit research and analysis organization, told the news site that Kiev is using “a zoo of different air defense systems” to counter the drone threat, "including Soviet-era and NATO missile systems, each with its own cost profile," the article added.

Read more: 'Israel' provides NATO with detailed data on Iranian drones: Haaretz

Downing a drone with a surface-to-air missile is seven times more expensive than launching one, the report said citing Artem Starosiek, the CEO of Molfar, a Ukrainian consultancy specialized in military investigations and analysis.

"That is an equation that the Kremlin may be banking on," said NYT according to analysts.

Related News

France solicits Renault to build drone factory in Ukraine

Russia advances offensive in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region

Read more: Iran among world’s top five drone powers: Senior general

However, not all experts are deeming the expense as the major problem facing Kiev's allies when it comes to the cost of support, despite the economic crisis facing western countries and the rise of citizen's outrage regarding their policies.

According to Mathieu Boulegue, a fellow at a London-based think tank Chatham House Russia and Eurasia Programme, what is important is continued military support to Kiev, despite the cost.

“The cost is irrelevant as long as the West keeps providing military assistance to Ukraine," Boulegue said.

Western countries have been also struggling with depleted stockpiles of weapons, which in some countries is even affecting their armies to counter any future challenges.

“The problem for Kyiv is the moment they don’t have enough stock of ammunition in their air-defense chain to shoot down these drones,” the researcher added.

Read more: Europeans are blaming US for high gas prices - Ex-Italian official

Last December, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the bloc had run out of military stockpiles as it provided Ukraine with an overwhelming amount of military support.

Borrell said before a meeting of the EDA (European Defense Agency) that the war in Ukraine has depleted the EU's weapon stockpiles, showing that it lacks "critical" capabilities to protect against threats on its border.  

Earlier in October, a report by US media outlet The Washington Post claimed that the alleged usage of Iranian drones by Russia in the Ukraine war poses an increasing threat to the United States and its allies as they consider it to be a show of a growing Iranian influence beyond its physical reach.

Read more: German weapon stocks depleting, no longer able to provide to Ukraine

The purported Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles' (UAV) success, The Post said, has made of Iran a crucial military ally for Russia, adding that it has also shown how Tehran has developed one of the most competent drone fleets internationally despite years of Western sanctions.

"Drones have become the spearhead of Iranian power projection globally," James Roger, an associate professor of war studies at the University of Southern Denmark, told the news outlet.

"Iran has one of the oldest and, arguably, one of the most efficient drone programs in the world."

Read more: US facing 'great urgency' over ammunition supply to Ukraine: Politico

  • Russia
  • war in Ukraine
  • The New York Times
  • Ukraine
  • Drones

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Gaza aid vessel vows to continue until final moment

A view of the Knesset through the entrance window. (Agencies)
Politics

Haredi parties push for Knesset dissolution, call PM 'a burden'

Palestinians carry the body of Ahmed Abu Hilal, who was killed while on his way to an aid hub in Gaza, during his funeral in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US 'aid centers' in Gaza are deadly traps: Palestinian Resistance

An aerial view shows sections of the columns in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, Saturday, January 25, 2025 (AP)
Arts and Culture

Syria’s ancient sites looted as artifacts flood online markets

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS