Gulf states seek Ukraine's $2,000 Sting interceptor as Iran's Shahed attacks spread

Wild Hornets/Sting interceptor drone

Several Middle East countries want Wild Hornets' Sting after Iranian Shahed attacks on the Gulf, but the group says it will not discuss exports without Ukrainian government approval. Sting costs about $2,000 or less and had downed over 3,000 Shaheds since entering service in June 2025.

• Top speed 280 km/h; output above 10,000 a month.
• A Shahed costs $20,000 to $50,000; a Patriot missile costs millions.
• An FPV pilot can learn to fly Sting in three or four days, one of its pilots says.
• Sting 2.0, faster for jet-powered Shaheds, is already in use; its details are classified.