Unlike traditional military UAVs, FPV drones can weave through urban terrain, fly at treetop level, and strike with remarkable accuracy.
By Hezy Laing
First‑person‑view (FPV) drones have rapidly transformed modern warfare over the past decade, evolving from hobbyist racing devices into precision battlefield tools.
Their rise began around 2014–2016, when Ukrainian and Syrian fighters first adapted commercial quadcopters for reconnaissance and improvised strike missions. By the early 2020s, FPV drones had become a defining feature of conflicts in Ukraine, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.
Their appeal lies in their low cost, high maneuverability, and ability to deliver real‑time visual feeds directly to operators wearing FPV goggles.
Unlike traditional military UAVs, FPV drones can weave through urban terrain, fly at treetop level, and strike with remarkable accuracy.
Militaries worldwide have since integrated them into combined‑arms operations, using them for scouting, targeting, and neutralizing enemy positions with minimal risk to personnel.
The Israel Defense Forces have closely monitored this global shift.
In early 2024, the IDF placed one of its largest drone orders to date: 12,000 FPV drones from several Israeli manufacturers, including Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and smaller defense‑tech startups specializing in rapid‑production drone platforms.
Israeli defense officials stated that the procurement was driven by lessons learned from recent combat in Gaza and ongoing tensions along the northern border.
FPV drones proved invaluable for locating ambushes, identifying hidden threats, and supporting infantry in dense urban and rural environments.
The IDF’s new order aims to ensure a steady supply of drones for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and real‑time battlefield awareness.
Strategically, the decision reflects a broader shift toward distributed, autonomous, and expendable systems.
FPV drones allow the IDF to gather intelligence without exposing soldiers, support armored units by scouting ahead of tanks, and assist air and artillery units by providing immediate visual confirmation of targets.
Their relatively low cost compared to traditional munitions enables large‑scale deployment, giving commanders greater flexibility and persistence in the field.
Israeli analysts note that the new procurement will accelerate the IDF’s transition toward a more networked, drone‑centric force structure, integrating FPV feeds into digital command systems and enabling faster decision‑making.
As global militaries race to adapt to drone‑driven warfare, Israel’s large‑scale investment signals its intention to remain at the forefront of unmanned battlefield innovation.
