Houthi attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea raise a cost problem: cheaper drones can be produced in greater numbers for the same money. The economic case for intercepting one also depends on what it threatens. In the hypothetical example, a £100,000 missile destroys a £500 drone while protecting a merchant ship whose combined value, cargo, and potential pollution losses run into billions of pounds. The same reasoning supports costly close-in protection for a carrier because the aircraft it sustains and the damage a successful attack could cause are worth far more than the incoming weapon.
Notable Point · 1:12:31-1:15:10
Interceptor economics follow the value being defended
A £100,000 interception can be worthwhile against a £500 drone when it prevents ship, cargo, and pollution losses running into billions.