The cost of intercepting a drone can be orders of magnitude higher than the cost of sending the drone. The cost of letting the drone get through can be even higher. If I send one drone that cost me $200, and you have to defend against it at $2,000 or $20,000 worth of munitions, and the target it would destroy is $200k or $20mm, then I win no matter what happens. This works at any scale. Iranian Shaheds are probably around $20k to $50k. They are being defended by patriots which cost ~$2mm-$5mm, and being aimed at US targets that cost $100mm. In this scenario, getting shot down is a win, and not getting shot down is a win.
With humans the math is reversed, being the defender is an advantage. Defenses can be setup pre-emptively and cheaply. Taking out a swarm of 20 Shahed drones is difficult and takes several missile batteries. Taking out a swarm of 20 infantrymen attacking a dug in position is light work for a matching force.
With humans the math is reversed, being the defender is an advantage. Defenses can be setup pre-emptively and cheaply. Taking out a swarm of 20 Shahed drones is difficult and takes several missile batteries. Taking out a swarm of 20 infantrymen attacking a dug in position is light work for a matching force.