Israeli Patriot shoots down intruding drone over Golan
The IDF spokesman has confirmed that a hostile drone from Syria was intercepted Saturday over the Golan by a Patriot anti-missile battery stationed in the Galilee town of Safed. The drone, apparently on an intelligence-gathering mission, was shot down over the Golan demilitarized zone which marks the border between Syria and Israel. The IDF fired the Patriot after communicating with the Israel-Russian liaison mission in Syria. Syrian, Hizballah, Iranian and Russian UAVs are constantly in action over the Syrian Golan. People in the Galilee report continuous explosions.
It seems expensive to spend a Patriot just to bring down a drone. Patriots were designed to bring down rockets. Drones move at slower speeds than rockets and by can be captured or destroyed by lower tech aircraft. I am sure the IDF knows this and is preparing the appropriate counter measures.
Richard, you are 100% correct. A waste of taxpayer money. I believe each Patriot costs $50k.