Similar to the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East are increasingly revolving around drones. While Israel has had a technological advantage in jamming Hezbollah’s drones, the Shiite militia seems to have found a way to bypass aerial defenses. In recent weeks, Hezbollah has repeatedly used FPV (“First Person View”) kamikaze drones to attack Israeli troops in South Lebanon. These drones allow the operator to see live footage from the drone’s camera without being exposed to risk. Cheap and lightweight, they are more precise than missiles.
While previous models could have their signals jammed by the Israeli military, the new versions are now guided by a long optical fiber connecting the quadcopter to a ground operator. As a result, they are almost undetectable by anti-aircraft systems that cannot divert them. The thin and lightweight drones, almost invisible to the naked eye, can strike up to 15 kilometers away, according to a CNN report citing an Israeli military source.
“There’s not much to do”
Israeli anti-aircraft defenses, known for their effectiveness, are struggling to counter this new technology. “Your drones suffocate the occupying entity and terrify the land tyrants,” boasted Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, to his fighters, as reported by the Washington Post. These challenges are acknowledged even by Israeli authorities, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the implementation of a special project to counter the drone threat on May 3. “Beyond physical barriers like nets, there’s not much to do,” said a military source quoted by CNN. It’s a low-tech system tailored to asymmetric warfare.
While Hezbollah’s use of drones has been known since the Syrian Civil War in 2011, it has become more widespread in recent years. The militia group, previously sourcing drones from Syria or Iran, is now developing its own technology to avoid supply chain disruptions caused by the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. According to the Washington Post, these drones are made with readily available electronics and 3D-printed structures, costing less than $400 each to manufacture.
A fragile ceasefire
In response to the increased use of drones, Israel has also decided to produce its own “kamikaze drones.” The Israeli army has established a factory to manufacture these drones, stating that thousands could be produced monthly within two months, as reported by the Washington Post.
While a ceasefire came into effect on April 17, it is threatened by this technology. According to the Israeli Air Force, Hezbollah has launched over 100 explosive drones at Israeli troops, resulting in at least four soldiers being killed by these flying devices. The Shiite militia has released videos of more than 28 drone attacks since the ceasefire agreement. In response, the Israeli Air Force claims to have targeted over 1,100 Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and “eliminated” more than 350 “terrorists.”
