Cost of 1 patriot missle - $4 million.
Cost of 1 Shahed drone $30.000.
47
Ancient-Bat17554 days ago
+23
Sometimes shooting multiple patriots as well
23
CensoredbytheGOP4 days ago
+7
This is what gets me.
Ukraine has started to use cheaper drones to take out the drones since they're stupid slow lawnmower/moped engines. Automating .50 cal robots aa seems to work as well.
7
Ahelex4 days ago
+3
Battlebots strategy.
Just build ramming ~~robots~~ drones.
3
CensoredbytheGOP4 days ago
+1
Kinda yeah. They have super c**** frames that are water cut. Motors off of really really c**** toys, pretty much everything supplied from China although I doubt China knows just how much.
1
Friendly-Smoke-36364 days ago
+1
Every time
1
cosmicrae4 days ago
+10
PAC-3 missiles are reported as ~$2 million. If they are utilizing the *Stunner interceptor* (from David's Sling) then figure around $400K each.
10
AnxiousPacifist4 days ago
+7
This calculation lacks cost of damage if that Shahed would hit
7
ScreenOk69284 days ago
+2
That calculation doesn't exist because it was decided to down it. It's not really possible to determine where a Shahed *will* strike while in flight because they only deviate once the target is actually reached.
2
AnxiousPacifist4 days ago
+4
Exactly. The air defense checks the trajectory of the drone and makes a guess of what it could be targeting.
If value of potential target is significant, the interceptor is launched.
In essence, simply saying "interceptor cost more than projectile" is a gross oversimplification. Interceptors are deployed to protect specific areas or targets. And without knowing what the target was, it's just impossible to make a "math" calculation of whether it was worth it or not.
4
idhorst4 days ago
+2
And you can then add GNP. Although in this case a 50k drone has a lot of ratio compared to a 2m missile. Furthermore missile shelflife could also play a factor. Ie the engine has a couple of months left and an overhaul of that engine costs 500k. Then basically the .missile costs 1.5m in stead of 2m.
2
AnxiousPacifist4 days ago
+1
Excellent point.
I forgot about it...
1
Suikerspin_Ei3 days ago
+2
I agree there need to be more cheaper solutions to counter drones. However, I think expensive missiles are worth it to defend important buildings, valuable soldiers, innocent citizens etc.
2
filipv4 days ago
+2
Cost of 1 bulletproof vest - $500.
Cost of 1 bullet - $0.30.
I'm not saying there aren't more cost-effective solutions against drones, but, as a matter of principle, when comparing the cost one should always compere the cost of the measure against the damage that one c**** weapon can produce if not countered. What if that Shahed drone would cause damages of $20 million if it hit its target? What if it killed people? Then, all of a sudden, $4 million to defend against it doesn't look like such a bad deal.
2
Kaellian4 days ago
+1
Nobody is debating that they shouldn't be downed, but we've known about these for years in Ukraine, and how well they perform against traditional air defense
Why were they not ready for them is the question on everyone's mind.
1
GreyClay4 days ago
+36
So another $4 million missile shooting down a $50,000 drone?
I guess if anyone can afford to keep paying for that kind of return it is the Saudis.
36
PushPullLego4 days ago
+10
Would it be better to let people die to save money?
10
The_Beaver4 days ago
+9
Is that not what we voted for?
9
GreyClay4 days ago
+7
Iran has got tens of thousands of drones, and is making more every day - plus receiving shipments of new ones from Russia.
What Iran *doesn’t* have is tens of thousands of ballistic missiles - you know, the things that Patriot systems are designed to shoot down.
So maybe, just maybe, the precious and very limited number of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors should be saved for shooting down ballistic missiles rather than Shaheds…
7
catscanmeow4 days ago
+1
laser system might be better? EMP?
1
DeciusCurusProbinus3 days ago
+1
Automated flak guns with proximity munitions or heavy calibre machine guns.
1
usuallysortadrunk4 days ago
-1
For the Saudis? Hard to say.
-1
cnr04 days ago
I am no longer wondering why Greece is a bankrupted country. They are trying to defend Saudi against Iran by firing 4m usd missile to a small drone? Is this a joke or what.
0
Several-Zombies65474 days ago
+2
The Saudis pay all the operational costs, even though the Greek military operates them.
2
StalyCelticStu4 days ago
+6
Sledgehammer to crack a nut.
6
frakkintoaster4 days ago
+3
This headline seems like it’s out of WW3
3
Black-Shoe4 days ago
+5
Training.
5
ScottOld4 days ago
+2
Greeks? What
2
Nukes-For-Nimbys4 days ago
+2
Defending places in the gulf states. Iran is shooting at everyone in the region, not just the US or Israel.
2
SlamBargeMarge4 days ago
Oh more misinformation. They're specifically targeting american military bases not schools, bridges and civilian infrastructure like america.
0
Lbreakstar3 days ago
+4
No they are not. They are targeting Infrastructure and economy since day 1.
4
Nukes-For-Nimbys2 days ago
+2
Qatari desalination plants are not an American base.
2
to_glory_we_steer4 days ago
+1
Whoop-tee-doo
1
HistoryBugs4 days ago
+1
Greek versus Persia round 2
1
Erdalion4 days ago
-2
My tax moneyyyyyyy.
-2
antivnom4 days ago
-1
SA doesn't have any income tax. And if you're a american, your country didn't give these to Saudi Arabia for free, those are sold.
-1
Erdalion3 days ago
+4
Funny you didn't consider option #3.
I'm Greek, dude.
37 Comments