How Iran changed the world’s perception of power through drones

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has not been able to import advanced military technology due to international sanctions. Especially during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, they faced a major crisis. As support from Western countries, including the United States, stopped, a large part of their modern warplanes and equipment became obsolete. This situation forced Iran to develop its own technology.
It was during this time that Iranian engineers, students and members of the military began to build small remote-controlled drones from very simple materials. Initially, they were used for surveillance – to understand the location and movements of the enemy. But gradually these drones were transformed into offensive weapons. Since the mid-1980s, Iran began to use drones effectively on the battlefield.
Iran’s biggest strategic change was to build a large number of drones at low cost instead of high-tech expensive weapons. Although the cost of a drone is relatively low, the opponent has to use much more expensive missiles to counter it. As a result, the economic balance of war changes. Sending many drones at once to pressure the opponent’s defense system has become one of Iran’s strategies.
In addition, drones usually fly at low altitudes and slowly, making it difficult to detect on radar. If multiple drones attack at the same time, it becomes almost impossible for the defense system to counter all of them. The effectiveness of this strategy came into global discussion during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, when Iranian-made drones were used. Similarly, the impact of this technology has been clearly seen in various conflicts in the Middle East—especially in attacks on oil installations in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
All in all, despite technological limitations, Iran has taken drone warfare to a new level through planned tactics, low-cost production, and continuous development. It has changed not only military strategy, but also the economic equation of war.