Expert: Iran relies on mass drone attacks rather than advanced technology
Ukraine’s experience in countering drones could prove useful for the Middle East countries facing mass drone attacks, as Iran relies primarily on quantity rather than technological sophistication. At the same time, such cooperation could strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and help it obtain additional air defense systems.
This opinion was shared in a comment to Ukrinform by Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, development director at a defense enterprise and a reserve officer of the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to him, Iran and Russia rely on the mass deployment of drones, which places significant strain on air defense systems.
“Iran is betting more on quantity than on technological sophistication, just like the Russian Federation. This exhausts defense forces and can lead to a shortage of countermeasures,” Khrapchynskyi said.
The expert explained that this creates a so-called asymmetric problem: expensive air defense missiles are used against much cheaper drones.
“When interceptor missiles cost millions, a mathematical imbalance emerges. To intercept Shahed drones, missiles that also cost very large sums are used,” he said.
For this reason, Ukraine’s experience with cheaper countermeasures, particularly interceptor drones, could be especially valuable for partners. Khrapchynskyi stressed that cooperation with Middle Eastern countries could also bring practical benefits for Ukraine, including additional funding and supplies of air defense systems.
“Ukraine can help solve this asymmetric imbalance by using cheaper countermeasures that are already being applied here,” the expert said. According to him, such cooperation could include sharing experience, training operators, and jointly developing technologies.
“This is not simply about business or exchanging weapons, but about implementing and strategically combining efforts to counter threats coming from the Middle East and the Russian Federation,” Khrapchynskyi explained.
In addition to interceptor drones, electronic warfare systems, reconnaissance tools, and short-range radar systems capable of detecting low-visibility targets also play an important role in countering UAVs. The expert believes that the use of Ukrainian technologies abroad could stimulate further development of the sector.
“Now our experience will be applied externally, allowing it to be validated and tested abroad. This will also send an additional signal to European countries to purchase such capabilities from us,” he concluded.
Thus, Ukraine’s participation in the development of counter-drone technologies at the international level could both strengthen partners’ security and help Kyiv obtain new resources to defend its own skies.
As reported by Ukrinform, on March 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that this week fully equipped Ukrainian teams for protection against Shahed drones would travel to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to provide assistance.
Earlier, the United States sent a request to Ukraine asking for specific help in defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East. In total, Ukraine has received 11 requests from countries neighboring Iran, European states, and the United States for security assistance, including help in countering Shahed drones.
Zelensky also said that in exchange for assistance in the Middle East, Ukraine expects to receive, above all, scarce interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
Illustrative photo: Aleksandr Gusev/PACIFIC P/SIPA