March 8, 2026
Although the United States has several counter-drone solutions that are significantly cheaper than Patriot missiles, the key issue remains the availability and large-scale deployment of such systems
U.S. forces in the Middle East may soon strengthen their defenses against Iranian long-range attack drones with the Merops counter-UAV system, which is based on an interceptor drone. The system was previously tested in Ukraine and is also being deployed by several NATO member states to reinforce anti-drone defenses along the Alliance’s eastern flank.
This information was reported by the Associated Press, citing anonymous sources. The report suggests that U.S. officials are increasingly concerned that while defenses against ballistic and cruise missiles are generally effective, drones pose a growing challenge because of their sheer numbers. At the same time, shortages of interceptor missiles for traditional air defense systems could eventually become a problem.
The report also notes that U.S. officials were disappointed with the response to Iranian Shahed drones, which they describe as more primitive than russia’s upgraded Geran strike drone, itself essentially an improved version of the Shahed.
Merops counter-drone systems are reportedly planned for deployment at multiple locations across the Middle East, including some sites where U.S. troops are not stationed.
At the same time, the transfer of Merops systems to the Middle East is unlikely to significantly affect Europe’s defense capabilities. As of January this year, Romania had already become the second NATO country planning to deploy the system after Poland, which was the first to introduce it.
Most importantly, Merops is considered a combat-proven system. It was secretly tested in Ukraine, and by November last year reports indicated that it had already shot down around 1,000 Shahed drones.
Previously, Defense Express also reported that, in response to the “drone war” in Ukraine, China is equipping its entire tank fleet with active protection systems, including workhorse platforms such as the Type 96.