A David-Goliath clash

Iran's missile-and-drone arsenal offset a huge US deployment

3 min read

Updated On: May 10 2026 | 2:13 PM IST

Refiners find it difficult and logistically complex to get adequate fuel, especially LNG & LPG, from sources other than West Asia even if they pay high premiums

The roughly 40,000 US troops across bases in West Asia also lacked adequate protection against Iranian missiles and drones. Photo: Reuters

The opening salvo of the war in West Asia on February 28 delivered a seismic shock, with the United States (US)–Israeli strikes killing Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However abrupt and unforeseen the assassination appeared, it was the culmination of a weeks-long US military build-up, which unfolded in plain sight and was the most significant US deployment in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

When protests over dire economic conditions spread across Iran in mid-January, US President Donald Trump told demonstrators that “Help is on its way”. At the time, however, the US lacked the posture to follow through. It reportedly had no aircraft carrier in the region and only a limited number of combat aircraft. The roughly 40,000 US troops across bases in West Asia also lacked adequate protection against Iranian missiles and drones.

Under one-third of US Navy deployed

Adrift in a world upended by Trump

The scale of the US build-up is evident when one considers that the conflict with Iran ultimately saw the deployment of two aircraft carriers: 50 per cent of the four vessels then available for deployment, from a fleet of 11. Even so, our calculations, based on data from a US think tank, the Atlantic Council, show that less than a third of the US Navy’s surface fleet was committed. When considered alongside data from the US-based Global Firepower project, which ranks the conventional military strength of over 145 nations, calculations indicate that the US deployments of fighter and attack aircraft amounted to roughly 15 per cent of its available inventory.

Only 18% of US airpower committed

Up to 15 per cent of the US’ missile defence inventory was also committed. Iran, nonetheless, inflicted substantial damage across Gulf states, including US military installations in the region, as well as Israel, through sustained missile and drone barrages. The sheer volume of projectiles played a significant role in circumventing US, Arab and Israeli air and missile defence networks. As of April 6, Iran had launched 4,962 drones and 2,108 ballistic missiles since the war began, according to another US think tank, the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

Up to 15% of US air and missile defence in play

By the time the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8, calculations based on multiple intelligence estimates suggested that Iran retained 28–34 per cent of its pre-conflict ballistic missile arsenal — equivalent to roughly 800–1,000 of an estimated 2,900 projectiles — and between 17 and 50 per cent of its drone inventory, or approximately 1,000–5,000 systems out of an initial stock of 6,000–10,000.

Iran’s missile, drone and launcher inventory hit hard

The conflict being confined to air strikes and long-range projectiles allowed Iran to offset a vast material disadvantage, with the US ($997 billion) and Israel ($46.5 billion) outspending it ($7.9 billion) on defence by more than 130 times.

Under 1% of US airpower hit

Iran reportedly retains 80–90 per cent of its small surface naval vessels, allowing it to continue threatening the Strait of Hormuz and global energy supplies. Overall, the conflict illustrates the growing impact of two trends: the proliferation of low-cost unmanned systems and the increasing availability of space-based targeting combined with ballistic missiles.

US and Israeli defence spending 130× Iran’s

US claims Iran’s military capability heavily degraded

Together, these developments allow smaller military powers to inflict damage on far larger adversaries.

Premium ContentPremium ContentSubscription ExpiredSubscription Expired

Your access to Blueprint has ended. But the story is still unfolding.

No longer a subscriber? There’s a new reason to return.

Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics

Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics

Like what you read? There’s more in every issue of Blueprint

From military strategy to global diplomacy, Blueprint offers sharp, in-depth reportage on the world’s most consequential issues.

Exclusive pricing for Business Standard digital subscribers

Choose your plan

Exclusive Pricing

Choose your plan

58% off

₹6,000

Blueprint Digital

₹2,500

annual (digital-only)

₹208/Month

70% off

₹12,000

Blueprint Complete

₹3,500

annual (digital & print)

₹291/Month

41% off

₹6,000

Blueprint Digital

₹3,500

annual (digital-only)

₹291/Month

62% off

₹12,000

Blueprint Complete

₹4,500

annual (digital & print)

₹375/Month

Subscribe NowSubscribe NowRenew NowRenew Now

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Browse all Plans

Here's what's included:

Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine
Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives
* Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office
Full access to Blueprint articles online
Business Standard digital subscription
1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)

Written By :

Bhaswar Kumar

Bhaswar Kumar has over seven years of experience in journalism. He has written on India Inc, corporate governance, government policy, and economic data. Currently, he covers defence, security and geopolitics, focusing on defence procurement policies, defence and aerospace majors, and developments in India’s neighbourhood.