During the recent war with Iran UAV missions accounted for an extraordinary 50 percent of all IDF strike operations.
By Hezy Laing
The recent war with Iran underscored a dramatic transformation within the Israeli Air Force, as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) assumed a central role in combat operations.
During the conflict, UAV missions accounted for an extraordinary 60 percent of total IAF flight hours and 50 percent of all IDF strike operations, a figure that highlights the growing dominance of drones in modern warfare.
This shift is driven by several factors: UAVs reduce risk to pilots, offer longer endurance, and provide real-time intelligence and precision strike capabilities at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft.
Systems such as the Heron TP, Hermes 900, and Harop loitering munition have become indispensable, allowing Israel to project power deep into Iranian territory while maintaining operational flexibility.
The trend is expected to accelerate.
Defense planners estimate that within five years UAVs will account for nearly 75 percent of IAF flight hours, and by 2035 that figure could reach 85 percent, with drones conducting the majority of strike missions.
This trajectory places Israel ahead of most Western militaries.
In the United States, despite the extensive use of MQ‑9 Reapers and RQ‑4 Global Hawks, manned aircraft still dominate strike operations.
Russia and China are expanding their drone fleets, but neither has yet integrated UAVs into their air forces at the scale seen in Israel.
Despite this revolution, manned jets remain essential in certain scenarios.
Aircraft such as the F‑35I Adir and upgraded F‑16s are best suited for missions requiring rapid penetration of heavily defended airspace, complex dogfighting, or nuclear deterrence roles where human judgment is paramount.
Pilots provide adaptability and decision-making in unpredictable environments, qualities that machines cannot yet replicate.
Israel’s choice not to abandon manned aviation reflects a balanced doctrine.
UAVs now form the backbone of surveillance and strike operations, but manned jets continue to deliver strategic depth.
The integration of artificial intelligence, autonomous swarming, and advanced electronic warfare systems will further tilt the balance toward unmanned platforms, yet the IAF envisions a hybrid force where drones and pilots complement one another.
The war with Iran demonstrated that Israel is leading the world in this transformation, setting a precedent for how future air forces will fight.
