Iran's Drone Campaign Against UAE Prompts US Deployment of Interceptor Drones in Middle East

Since late February, Iran has launched nearly 1,800 drones and missiles toward the UAE in a campaign aimed at straining air-defense systems rather than causing extensive damage. In response, the US is deploying around 10,000 Merope interceptor drones across the Middle East to counter increasing Iranian drone attacks. These interceptors, originally developed for the Ukraine conflict, use sensors and AI to detect and collide with hostile drones, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defenses.