Gulf States Need Fences, Not F-35s: Drone Attacks and Misspent Procurement (warontherocks.com)

• Over 1,000 Patriot interceptors used in first 10 days of Iran war.
• Cost-exchange ratio of Shahed drone to Patriot missile between 100:1 and 230:1.
• Author recommends layered defense with physical barriers and AI systems.

"The 2026 Iran war reveals the vulnerability of Gulf air defense built on expensive interceptors like Patriot and THAAD. Cheap Iranian Shahed drones are depleting missile stocks at cost-exchange ratios up to 230:1. The author argues for a layered approach using physical barriers, electronic warfare, helicopters, and AI-enhanced guns to achieve sustainable defense, drawing on Ukraine war lessons."