Intelligence assessments from Aman and Mossad indicate that Hezbollah has expanded its drone arsenal to over 2,000 UAVs, including models capable of carrying precision‑guided munitions.
By Hezy Laing
Acknowledging one of Israel’s greatest new threats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli public yesterday that drones can be no less dangerous than an F‑35, a statement echoing a recent national security briefing, amid rising regional tensions and several high‑profile drone incidents.
His warning came after the IDF confirmed that Iranian‑backed militias in Syria and Iraq had launched more than 240 armed UAVs toward Israel and U.S. positions in the past year, including the Shahed‑136, Mohajer‑6, and Ababil‑3 platforms.
Netanyahu emphasized that modern drones, especially long‑range loitering munitions, now carry warheads of 20–40 kilograms, fly at low altitude, and use GPS‑denied navigation, making them difficult to intercept with traditional air‑defense systems.
He noted that the cost ratio is alarming: an F‑35A costs roughly $80 million, while a lethal drone can cost under $20,000, allowing adversaries to deploy them in swarms.
Netanyahu’s remarks referenced global trends documented by the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator, and the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, all of which have reported exponential growth in drone warfare since 2020.
Countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, China, and Iran have integrated drones into frontline combat, with the Bayraktar TB2, Lancet‑3, and Shahed‑series demonstrating how inexpensive platforms can destroy tanks, radar stations, and even air‑defense batteries.
Netanyahu argued that Israel must treat drones as a strategic threat equal to advanced fighter jets, noting that the IDF intercepted over 30 hostile UAVs in the previous six months alone.
He brought up the topic now because Israel is entering a new phase of regional confrontation.
Intelligence assessments from Aman and Mossad indicate that Hezbollah has expanded its drone arsenal to over 2,000 UAVs, including models capable of carrying precision‑guided munitions.
Additionally, the recent attack on the Eilat naval base—where a drone penetrated Israeli airspace for 11 minutes before being shot down—triggered public concern and prompted Netanyahu to address the nation.
He stressed that Israel is working with global partners on counter‑drone technologies, including laser interception, AI‑driven detection, and electronic warfare, and framed the threat as a worldwide challenge requiring international cooperation.
