The Wall Street Journal said the performance drew scrutiny from rivals including Russia, as the war with Iran became a rare test of US defences.
The report said the drones' success highlighted THAAD's ineffectiveness and gave adversaries insight into American military capabilities and vulnerabilities.
Earlier reporting said radar infrastructure in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates was damaged, while China, Russia and North Korea were watching the conflict closely.
As Iran's drone war drains US resources, what new strategic opportunities are opening up for China and Russia?
Can multi-million dollar defense systems win a war of attrition against swarms of low-cost, mass-produced drones?
With ground radars proven vulnerable, is a space-based network the only real future for American missile defense?
Iran’s Drone Swarm Warfare (2024-2026): Exposing U.S. Defense Gaps and the $185 Billion Golden Dome Response
Overview
Between 2024 and 2026, Iran deployed low-cost Shahed drones in coordinated swarms that overwhelmed US and allied air defenses, creating a costly imbalance as expensive interceptors were used against cheap drones. This tactic led to lethal attacks, including a deadly strike on US troops in Kuwait, and was supported by Russia through shared drone tactics. In response, the US is reassessing its military doctrine, pushing for layered defenses inspired by Ukraine’s model, which combines electronic warfare, guns, and low-cost interceptor drones. Concurrently, the Pentagon launched the ambitious Golden Dome program to build an AI-managed, multi-layered missile defense shield, though it faces technical, cybersecurity, and budget challenges. This evolving threat landscape demands a shift toward scalable, cost-effective, and resilient defense systems integrating space, cyber, and AI capabilities.