Gulf states look to Ukraine to counter drones
The U.S. and at least one Gulf state are in talks to buy Ukrainian interceptors to overcome the cost imbalance of using expensive missile defences to counter swarms of Iran’s low-cost drones
BALLISTIC MISSILES
Fateh-110
Estimated cost
$110,000
Warhead: 500kg
Max. speed: Mach 4
Range: 300km
DRONES
Shahed-136
Estimated cost
$20,000-
$50,000
Warhead: 30-50kg
Max. speed: 185km/h
Range: 2,500km
2.5m
DETECTION
Zvook acoustic sensor
Microphone
Sound concentrated by dish
0.5m dish
Acoustic sensors: Low-cost Zvook and SkyFortress systems, range 5-15km.
Detect distinctive acoustic signature of incoming Shaheds
Passive radar: Detects radio waves from drones, up to 20km
3D radar: Can distinguish UAV from birds at 4km
Airborne radar
Drone-mounted
INTERCEPTION
Patriot missile
Max. speed: Mach 5
Range 160km
Up to $4m
Kinetic interceptors
Wild Hornet Sting
Operator training: 2 days
Max. speed: 280km/h
Range: 37km
Max. altitude: 7,000m
Payload: 500g
Launched from ground, no catapult required
From $2,200
Sources: Wild Hornet, Open Source Munitions Portal 
Picture: Zvook
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