U.S. Army Tests FIM-92 Stinger Short-Range Air Defense Missile to Destroy Frontline Drones

US Army personnel used the FIM-92 Stinger against a drone target during Super Garuda Shield at Baturaja, Indonesia. The live-fire event paired US Marine low-altitude air-defense specialists with soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment and provided Indonesian participants exposure to complementary short-range systems, rehearsing detection, engagement and multinational coordination. Stinger gives mobile troops a proven infrared-guided defense against low-altitude aircraft, but the exercise was a training demonstration rather than a new procurement or combat deployment; actual counter-drone efficiency also depends on target value, missile availability and layered sensors.