In real conflict, I doubt anybody with a $120m plane would even think of trading it, and a pilot for a drone.
Even a minimal attrition rates like 1 in 40, mean an attrition loss.
We know the 1st wave will be done-on-drone for sure ...
... but the idea Russia is going to be able to man and send up 400 drones (!) for even a single opposing squadron is just far fetched.
40 drones out over the Black Sea? Maybe. But again, as they are 'slow lumbering targets' they will be mopped up pretty quick by a single squadron of F35 and whatever other ground/naval forces are in the region.
Every drone in the air facing a capable enemy is basically on a suicide mission.
There are already many ground based anti drone platforms such as Rafael Systems' Drone Done which can be installed on a pickup truck. If Armenia had any of those, they woulld have had an advantage in the recent war with Azerbaidjan.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/air-and-missile-war-nagorno-ka...
Today, an F35 would clear out a squadron of drones way beyond the horizon, before the drones were aware of the F35.
So yes 'a lot of drones' would be a problem initially, but they would still be cleared out within hours of being airborne.
Basically organized actors have the ability to down drones with impunity, they stand out on radar, and they require extensive networking.
Momar Gaddaffi was not very prepared, but Iran for example, is.