How cheap weapons are changing the balance of military power

The US-Iran war has shed light on the rapid evolution of modern warfare, with drones and other affordable technology increasingly taking center stage. US Central Command recently announced a multinational attack drone task force, operated by US military personnel and regional partners. In a first, the United States conducted a one-way sea drone strike on an Iranian target last month.

As the US enhances its drone capabilities to counter Iranian tactics, its stockpiles of conventional weapons seem to be dwindling. However, Iran has also suffered significant losses. Both sides are now striving to replenish their arsenals, raising the question of whether traditional weapons can keep up with the burgeoning number of cheap systems that can be mass-produced and deployed swiftly.

The war is also altering how nations evaluate and deter hostile threats, prompting them to seek knowledge and technology from non-traditional major weapons manufacturers. In a recent episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher delved into what the conflict reveals about the changing nature and cost of warfare. She conversed with Thomas Harding, the security and policy editor at The National.