Iranian Shahed drones pose greater threat than expected, say US officials
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley acknowledged in a closed briefing that Iranian Shahed drones present a more serious threat than initially assessed, and air defense systems will be unable to intercept them all.
This admission highlights the increasing challenges posed by modern unmanned aerial vehicles and underlines the urgent need to upgrade air defense tactics and technologies. Shahed drones have already been deployed in various conflicts, demonstrating capabilities beyond prior evaluations.
Going forward, the US Department of Defense may prioritize enhancing detection and interception systems along with developing new counter-drone measures.
