US Deploys Merops Counter-Drone System to Middle East

The US Army is deploying the American-made Merops counter-drone system to the Middle East, two defense officials told Business Insider on Saturday, after the system logged more than 1,000 Shahed-type intercepts in Ukraine. The Merops uses Surveyor interceptors costing about $15,000 each, offering a lower-cost alternative to Patriot and THAAD missiles, and will be combat-ready within days.