Gulf militaries are burning through billions of dollars and aircraft to counter Iran's cheap drones, a strategy analysts call unsustainable. Advanced F-16 fighters intercept waves of Shahed-136 drones at staggering costs: $25,000 per hour in flight alone, compared to the drones' $20,000-$50,000 price tag. Videos show fighters using expensive missiles like the $485,000 AIM-9X to destroy drones, while ground-based Patriots cost nearly $4 million per interception.

This imbalance forces Gulf states to rely on costly fighter jets as their primary defense, straining budgets and pilots. UAE alone claims to have downed over 1,600 drones since February, but some threats still breach defenses to hit critical infrastructure. Experts warn this model fails against mass drone attacks, urging a shift to cheaper alternatives like interceptor drones or laser systems. Ukraine's success with low-cost countermeasures offers a potential blueprint, though Gulf nations lack sufficient helicopters or anti-drone guns. The crisis underscores a fundamental flaw: defending against cheap threats with expensive weapons is financially unsustainable long-term.