The United States has begun deploying a squadron of its new “LUCAS” unmanned aerial vehicles in the Middle East, after developing the system through reverse engineering of Iran’s Shahed 136 suicide drones. These Iranian drones caused extensive destruction in Ukraine and demonstrated notable durability and difficulty of interception. The move is intended to challenge Iran by using its own technology.
According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Washington’s decision to adopt this technology was driven primarily by economic considerations. The cost gap is significant. Interceptor missiles can exceed one million US dollars per unit, while the manufacturing cost of these drones ranges between 20,000 and 50,000 dollars.
The report noted that US President Donald Trump was a key advocate behind the development of this system. Speaking at a business forum, Trump said the United States needs large numbers of cheap and effective drones, similar to those produced by Tehran.
Military experts explained that the primary impact of this weapon is not limited to physical damage alone. Its ability to be launched in swarms places heavy strain on air defence systems and exerts psychological pressure on civilian populations.
According to a report broadcast by ABC Australia, US officials confirmed that the first squadron of these drones was sent to the region in December, with the aim of “turning the tables” on Iran.
Experts suggested that the first practical use of these drones may have taken place during a military operation targeting Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. Video footage from Caracas documented distinctive engine sounds known as “flying motorcycles”, matching the acoustic signature associated with the Shahed drone.
Dr Alexandra Molloy, an expert in drone warfare, said that using such systems allows the United States to reduce the operational costs of deploying advanced aircraft against air defence systems, while laying the groundwork for a new form of deterrence.
This military move comes amid an escalation in Trump’s rhetoric against the Iranian system, following reports of a mass killing of anti-government protesters. Despite the offensive preparations, several Middle Eastern states, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, have urged the US administration not to launch an immediate attack, fearing the region could slide into widespread escalation.
Even so, security analysts quoted by the same newspaper believe that if a direct confrontation breaks out, the United States is likely to make extensive use of the American version of Iranian drones against their original manufacturers.
In response, a senior Iranian official warned on Friday that Tehran would treat any attack against it as a “comprehensive war”, according to Reuters. This warning comes amid expectations that a US aircraft carrier group and additional military reinforcements will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days.
The official said the military buildup is causing concern in Tehran, adding: “We hope this deployment is not intended for an actual conflict, but our army is prepared for the worst scenarios. For this reason, maximum alert is in place across Iran.”
He stressed that Iran’s response would be different this time, stating: “Any attack, whether limited or unlimited, precise or military, will be treated as a full scale war against us, and we will respond in the harshest way possible to bring it to an end.”
In a related development, reports late last night said that the Royal Air Force had sent four Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, coinciding with Trump’s announcement of a naval deployment to the Middle East.
The reports said the British aircraft were deployed for defensive missions and stationed at Doha Air Base west of the Qatari peninsula, rather than at the US Al Udeid base. Their capabilities include intercepting drones and launching Storm Shadow cruise missiles with a range exceeding 240 kilometres. A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the deployment was made at the request of the Qatari government and is intended to preserve regional stability.
