Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that on Saturday, Hezbollah, a proxy force of Iran, attempted a drone attack targeting his home in Caesarea city, aiming to assassinate him and his wife. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but this incident yet again highlights Israel's vulnerability to drones, despite its state-of-the-art air defense systems.
Last week, Hezbollah conducted a drone attack on an army base in Northern Israel, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers. At that time, a report from the New York Times explained why Israel's air defense systems like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow find it challenging to intercept drones.
Israel's missile detection and interception systems are among the best globally, capable of tracking missiles traveling over 1,000 miles per hour. However, when it comes to unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones that sometimes travel slower than 100 miles per hour, its radar systems find detection more difficult.
Drones are often constructed from less metal and generate less heat compared to fast-moving rockets and shells, making them harder to detect consistently. Enemy drones might sometimes be mistaken for Israeli aircraft due to Israel's many small private airplanes flying at low altitudes and speeds much like drones.
Ofer Haruvi, former head of the Israeli Air Force's drone division, states, 'Not only Israel but also the Western world relies on systems designed to protect airspace from regular fighter jets and missiles. We need to redesign sections of our air defense systems to detect, identify, and track slower-moving targets.'
US to Bolster Israeli Air Defense Strength
Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket system routinely neutralizes rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon. Its Arrow 3 interceptor is also quite formidable. It significantly assisted in thwarting two major ballistic missile attacks from Iran in April and again this month.
To further strengthen Israel's air defense system, the United States announced on Sunday that it would be sending Israel an additional anti-missile system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD.
Experts, however, suggest that Israel needs enhancement in its anti-drone systems. On Fenig, CEO of R2Wireless, a company designing drone detection systems, points out that these systems rely largely on radar, which works by sending a signal and then detecting large metal objects like planes based on the echoes.
Fenig, who collaborates with the Israeli military, mentions other alternatives like receptors capable of passively detecting the radio waves emitted by drones.
He remarked that each system has its advantages and shortcomings, emphasizing that Israel needs to work on all fronts to build a stronger drone detection system.
Fenig concluded, 'There is no magic solution that will solve all issues, but a significant shift in mindset is necessary.'
