Low-cost drones are reshaping combat across the Middle East and beyond

Affordable drones, some priced at only a few hundred dollars, have been used by Hamas, Hezbollah and Ukrainian forces to hit soldiers, urban areas and costly military assets. These systems are difficult to detect and can be deployed in large numbers, challenging even the most sophisticated armed forces. Israel is accelerating development of low-cost laser weapons that claim to shoot down drones for a few dollars per shot. Analysts warn that the rapid spread of such technology could outpace defensive innovations.