For The First Time, The U.S. Shot Down An Iranian Shahed Using A System Tested In Ukraine

• 25.07.2026, 18:42

The Merops system has already destroyed more than a thousand Russian drones.

This week, U.S. forces shot down an Iranian Shahed-type drone in the Middle East using the Merops system, which had been tested in Ukraine. This was reported on July 24 by Business Insider, citing a source.

The incident marked the first time U.S. forces used Merops to intercept drones in combat conditions. Ukraine has used it to shoot down more than 1,000 Russian Shahed drones.

According to the publication, several Eastern European countries have acquired and deployed this system.

U.S. military personnel in Kuwait recorded at least one incident involving an Iranian drone this week, a source told the publication.

Last week, a U.S. official told Business Insider that since hostilities resumed earlier this month, U.S. forces have intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles and drones. However, at least four U.S. service members have been killed and nearly 100 others wounded in attacks this month.

Merops consists of a radar, a launcher, a ground control system, and an interceptor costing $15,000, capable of speeds exceeding 175 miles per hour. The interceptor can use artificial intelligence to navigate in areas saturated with electronic warfare capabilities.

The system is operated by a small crew that can be trained in just a few days, the publication notes.

The Pentagon’s purchase of the Merops underscores the growing interest of the U.S. and its NATO allies in low-cost interceptor drones, which have proven their effectiveness on the front lines in Ukraine, the publication writes.