Die israelische Luftwaffe F-16 schießt mit einer AIM-9/Python Air to Air-Rakete eine iranische Shahed-136-Angriffsdrohne über Südsyrien hinunter.

I have to ask – why?
I mean.. Why not use cheaper helicopter, or the iron beam, or the iron dome, those have to be cheaper than an f16?

Or do they use it as „wet“ practice?

I’m genuinely curious as to what it would cost to make a say prop powered interceptor say like a spitfire for example. Have like 100 of them on constant rotation to shoot down drones.
Over having highly sophisticated fighter jets firing extremely expensive missiles at them?