US Deploys Ukraine-Tested Merops Anti-Drone System in Middle East

The US deployed the Merops counter-drone system in the Middle East to protect against Iranian Shahed-type drones.

The system is compact, proven in Ukraine, and uses AI to navigate when communications are jammed.

Army Recognition

Deployment plans include installations at sites without US troops.

Merops addresses a critical gap in US defenses against cheap, low-flying attack drones.

Iranian Shahed drones cost roughly $20,000 to $50,000 each.

BR24

Traditional systems like Patriot cost hundreds of thousands per shot.

US officials admitted the response to Iranian drones had been disappointing.

“- A new counter-drone system with a proven record defending Ukraine's skies is headed to the Middle East”

Business Insider

Persian Gulf countries complained about inadequate warning.

Several Middle Eastern countries toured Ukrainian facilities to learn from Kyiv's innovations.

The deployment occurs amid escalating fights triggered by Operation Epic Fury.

Aafan magazine obtained satellite imagery confirming 153 killed at a girls' school in Minab.

Fortune

No source reported civilian casualties on the US-Israeli side.

The Atlantic Council characterized the strikes as a high-risk gamble.

“An American anti-drone system proven to work against Russian drones in Ukraine will soon be sent to the Middle East to bolster U”

Military Times

Congressional Democrats demanded briefings on the war's legality.

Military Times

The operation marked a shift from degrading military capabilities to pursuing regime change.