Iran’s use of Shahed drones highlights a shift in modern warfare where cost, scalability, and persistence can outweigh precision. These low-cost systems are not decisive on their own, but they apply continuous pressure on the enemy—forcing costly and sustained responses from more advanced militaries.
As seen in both the Iran conflict and the Ukraine war, drones are reshaping warfare through affordability and volume rather than technological superiority. They are no longer niche tools but standard features of conflict, raising urgent questions about how militaries—including Australia’s—can develop effective and scalable countermeasures.