Missiles are flying across the Middle East - and the air defense price tag is getting heavier

"Iranian missiles and drones are flying across the Middle East, forcing the US, Israel, and the Gulf states to expend numerous costly interceptors on air defense operations in just a few days and draw on critical weapons stockpiles."

"A new Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis put the cost of air defense interceptor expenditure in the fight against Iranian missiles and drones at $1.7 billion for the first 100 hours of the conflict, though that figure is a midpoint. There is some uncertainty about which munitions are in use, the analysis said. On the low end, costs may be closer to $1.2 billion. The high end is $3.7 billion."

"The Pentagon said Wednesday that Iranian forces had launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 one-way attack drones since the US and Israel launched major combat operations against Iran Saturday morning."

Iran has launched over 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 attack drones, prompting intensive air defense operations by the US, Israel, and Gulf states. The Pentagon reports these attacks occurred following major combat operations launched Saturday. Gulf nations including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE have collectively intercepted at least 500 ballistic and cruise missiles plus 1,300 drones. A Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis estimates air defense costs at $1.7 billion for the first 100 hours of conflict, with estimates ranging from $1.2 billion to $3.7 billion depending on munitions used. Each ballistic missile typically requires multimillion-dollar interceptors, sometimes multiple ones, making sustained air defense operations extraordinarily expensive.

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