DID Press: Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that relying on expensive weapons to shoot down low-cost drones could deplete American military stockpiles and weaken the country’s strategic posture against major rivals.
In recent remarks, Blinken pointed to the high cost of certain U.S. air-defense systems, noting that using advanced missiles to intercept drones that sometimes cost as little as $20,000 “is not a good equation.”
He cautioned that continuing such an approach could gradually reduce U.S. weapons reserves and, over time, affect Washington’s deterrence capability in competition with powers such as China and Russia.
Blinken stressed that the United States should pursue more cost-effective and efficient solutions to counter the growing drone threat in order to prevent excessive strain on its military arsenal.