UK Considers Deploying Thousands of 'Octopus' Interceptor Drones to Middle East to Counter Shahed Drones

As expensive air defense resources such as Patriot missiles are being depleted in response to the Iranian Shahed drone offensive, it has been reported that the United Kingdom is considering deploying thousands of interceptor drones to the Middle East, each costing less than 5 million won.

Ukraine is already operating the Sting interceptor drone in actual combat. Yonhap News

On March 14 (local time), The Telegraph reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering dispatching thousands of 'Octopus' interceptor drones. The Octopus is a drone jointly developed by Ukraine and the United Kingdom, with the UK supporting mass production based on Ukraine's experience and technology gained from battling Russia's 'Geran' drones. Currently, thousands of units are being produced each month.

The Octopus, which features four propellers mounted under a circular body, rapidly ascends after launch to pursue and explode near slow-moving Shahed drones. While the maximum speed of a Shahed drone is about 185 kilometers per hour, Ukraine's interceptor drones can reach speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. With a price of only 3,000 dollars (approximately 4.5 million won) per unit, cost-effectiveness is considered their greatest strength.

The United States and its Middle Eastern allies have been pouring expensive air defense resources into countering the Iranian drone offensive, raising concerns that if the conflict drags on, they could become vulnerable to even more devastating attacks due to a shortage of air defense missiles. The UK's consideration of air defense support comes immediately after President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the UK's lukewarm support.

On March 14, as President Trump called on the UK to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, experts within the UK remain divided on whether to participate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.