A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz was allegedly shot down by an Iranian-made Shahed drone. According to reports citing US officials, the drone was observed to hit the helicopter before the incident. It is currently being investigated whether this was a deliberate attack or an accidental collision.
According to reports, the Shahed drone, worth about $ 35,000, disabled the $ 25 million Apache helicopter. The helicopter's two-man crew survived the rescue operation.
The incident coincides with a period of renewed tension between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump has held Iran responsible for the downing of the helicopter and said that retaliatory measures will be taken. Subsequently, US forces have struck Iranian air defense systems and military facilities.
Experts note that the effectiveness of relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft against expensive military equipment continues to change the nature of modern wars.
