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The United Kingdom is preparing to upgrade its Royal Air Force Typhoon jets operating in the Middle East by equipping them with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS). This move aims to reduce costs associated with intercepting Iranian drones, which have been a significant threat in the region. According to the Ministry of Defence, these new missile systems will allow the RAF to “destroy targets more precisely and at a fraction of the price of missiles currently in use.”
Countries in the Gulf region and their allies have been struggling to effectively counter the Iranian Shahed drones. These drones are relatively inexpensive to produce but have inflicted substantial damage. During the 2024 conflict involving Israel and Iran, reports indicated that the UK shot down a number of these drones using missiles priced at approximately £200,000 each, highlighting the financial challenge of using high-cost weapons against low-cost unmanned threats.
The APKWS rockets, already in service with the US military and costing around $30,000 per unit, provide a cost-effective alternative compared to traditional missiles. This price point is closer to the estimated cost of a Shahed 136 drone, which ranges from $20,000 to $50,000. The Shahed drone’s design allows it to fly at low altitudes with a slim profile, making it difficult to detect by conventional radar systems that primarily target missile threats. Previously, these drones have been intercepted with fighter jet missiles or expensive surface-to-air missile defenses.
The APKWS works by transforming unguided rockets with a laser-targeting system, converting them into precision weapons capable of engaging enemy drones and other targets at a lower cost. The UK government has collaborated with defence contractors such as BAE Systems and QinetiQ to expedite the deployment of this technology “in a matter of months.” Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard emphasized that the system “will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost.” Meanwhile, Qatar has sought to boost its defenses by purchasing 10,000 APKWS units from the US in recent months amid ongoing regional tensions.
Since the conflict began, Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting US forces and allies including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan. The UAE alone states it has intercepted over 2,000 drones, 438 ballistic missiles, and 19 cruise missiles since the start of the hostilities. Israeli and US forces conducted large-scale air strikes on Iran starting 28 February. Although a ceasefire has been largely maintained since last month to aid diplomatic talks, occasional exchanges of fire have continued
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