The IDF employs electronic countermeasures to jam enemy drone signals.
By Hezy Laing
While thousands of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have been killed in drone attacks in the recent war between the two countries, very few IDF soldiers have met a similar fate in Gaza.
Why such a big difference?
The IDF developed and deployed a multi-layered strategy to suppress and neutralize drone attacks against soldiers, especially in complex urban environments like Gaza.
It consists of three main components.
1. Electronic Warfare and Jamming
The IDF employs electronic countermeasures to jam enemy drone signals.
These systems disable or redirect hostile drones before they reach their targets.
The IDF’s electronic warfare (EW) and jamming systems are among the most advanced in the world, effectively neutralizing enemy drones.
Operated by the Spectrum Warfare Battalion, these systems intercept signals, jam communications, and spoof GPS to disable UAVs mid-flight.
During recent conflicts, they successfully downed dozens of Iranian and Hamas drones.
Israeli defense firms like infiniDome have contributed compact anti-jamming tech, such as the GPSdome-SunStone, enhancing protection for IDF assets.
Integrated across vehicles and air defenses, these systems adapt in real time using AI-driven countermeasures.
This layered approach has made the IDF a global leader in drone defense and battlefield EW.
2. Remote UAV Surveillance
Drone operators control UAVs from trailers far from the battlefield, provide real-time surveillance of the battlefield without exposing soldiers.
Units like the 147th “Battering Ram” Squadron manage drone missions across Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea-Samaria.
3. Strike Drones for Preemptive Elimination
The IDF uses SPIKE FireFly drones, which are loitering munitions designed to hover, identify threats, and self-destruct on target.
These drones are operated remotely by infantry units and can autonomously navigate alleys and buildings to eliminate hostile drone operators or launch sites.
Drones are used to locate and eliminate anti-tank units, snipers, and drone operators before they can strike.
Strategic Impact
These technologies allow the IDF to protect soldiers without direct engagement, especially in densely populated or hostile areas.
The combination of autonomous drones, remote control, and precision targeting has significantly reduced casualties and neutralized threats before they materialize.
