Look up Iron Beam. The new Israeli laser to shoot down Iranian drones. The laser costs millions. But each laser blast costs $2.
Iron Beam - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Beam
Iron Beam uses a fiber laser to destroy an airborne target within 4–5 seconds of firing at a range of 7 km. Whether acting as a stand-alone system or with external cueing as part of an air-defense system, a threat is detected by a surveillance system and tracked by vehicle platforms in order to engage. The main … See more
It’s a technology that Israel would be wise not to provide Ukraine. Sooner or later it would find its way to Hezbollah
My bad. I noticed at end of article, it won’t be operational for some time. Regardless, the mullahs would be itching to get their hands on it
Problem is, if the drones are just above the treetops (or apt. building tops), each Iron Beam can only cover a small area. Iron Beam targets by radar, and the Iranian drones are hard to pick up on radar.
You “can” put such a system on the roof of a tall building, but, then that building becomes a legit target itself. One then also almost certainly has downed drones impacting heavily built up areas.
This is not to say Iron Beam is not helpful — I just don’t see it as a comprehensive solution in this instance.