- August 22, 2024
- 10:21 pm
- Israel
In an article on the Israeli portal “Shomrim» August 22, 2024 tells of a new threat from Hezbollah, connected with the use of drones, which have already changed the course of the war in Ukraine.
Yigal Levinan Israeli military analyst, served as a consultant for this Shomrim article, which includes his comments. Full text on the topic of the FPV threat and Russia's training of FPV drone operators for Assad's army and Hezbollah.
In recent days of tensions in the north, Hezbollah has released videos showing a new type of drone that could pose a serious challenge to IDF forces in the event of a full-scale war.
As the author notes, we are talking about fast and maneuverable FPV drones, which have become an important factor in the military actions in Ukraine. These drones are equipped with explosives and can significantly change the tactics on the battlefield if they are used against Israeli troops.
According to military experts interviewed by Shomrim, although it is difficult to definitively confirm the use of these drones, there is a high probability that Hezbollah has indeed begun using them. The author also emphasizes that the main reason why FPV drones are considered a “game changer” is their low cost, about $500 per unit, combined with their high effectiveness against tanks and artillery.
In addition to being inexpensive, FPV drones are small, highly maneuverable, and fast, making them difficult for radar to detect. However, as the author notes, these drones also have drawbacks, such as a limited range compared to other unmanned aerial vehicles that Hezbollah has used in the past.
The Shomrim article also discusses the potential threats posed by Hezbollah’s use of new FPV drones. According to On Finig, CEO of Israeli company R2, which specializes in electromagnetic signal detection and counter-UAV technology, if such drones are indeed in the hands of Hezbollah, their impact could be significant.
Finig notes that Hezbollah used to use small drones to conduct reconnaissance before sending strike drones to targets. This two-step process increased the risk of detection and interception. But with FPV drones, the author notes, the two steps can be combined: “They can now conduct reconnaissance and strike simultaneously, as Ukrainian forces do against Russian forces.”
The article also cited a Hezbollah video from August 12 that showed a drone with exposed propellers making sharp maneuvers and striking a target at an Israeli military base. Amit Lidor, vice president of unmanned aircraft systems company Aeronautics, noted that the drone is likely an FPV, based on its design and maneuverability, which is not typical of missiles or other drones.
A second video published by Hezbollah on August 19 shows another FPV drone homing in on a target in the Western Galilee region. The main advantage of these drones, according to the author, is their ability to accurately hit vulnerable points, such as electrical cables or weakly protected areas of tanks. However, the outcome of the attack in the video remains unclear.
The article recalls Israel’s refusal to cooperate with Ukraine in the fight against drones, which could have serious consequences. Analysts emphasize that videos demonstrating Hezbollah’s new capabilities have a significant propaganda and psychological effect, especially when it comes to drones capable of defeating interception systems. As one expert put it, “the value of these videos is more psychological than anything else.”
A June investigation by Shomrim revealed that Ukraine had offered Israel its drone expertise, but Israel ignored the offer. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov expressed doubts that Israel was studying Ukraine’s experience with FPV drones: “I don’t know, and frankly, I doubt it.”
Experts note that Hezbollah's skills in using drones, including FPV, are partly based on its ties to Russia. As military analyst Yigal Levin told Shomrim, Russia officially trains Assad's armywhich makes heavy use of FPV drones. Hezbollah is confident in Syria and has been helping Assad in his war, giving them the opportunity to train alongside Syrian forces.
The article also mentions that Hezbollah is not the only group in the Middle East using FPV drones. For example, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has also begun using these drones.
The Shomrim article discusses the growing threat posed by the use of FPV drones in the event of a possible conflict with Hezbollah. According to Samuel Bendet, an expert on unmanned aerial vehicles at the US Center for Naval Analyses, Iran has shown significant advances in the development and use of such drones. He noted that
“Given the close cooperation between the Russian and Iranian armies, it can be assumed that the Russian army shares practical knowledge and technologies with the Iranians, including the development of FPV drones.”
Experts warn that in the event of a full-scale war with Hezbollah, Israel will have to take into account the massive use of these drones. Levin, a military analyst, suggested that Hezbollah may be saving most of its FPV drones “as a bargaining chip in case of an invasion of Lebanon.” Finnig added that, as with Iran’s Shahed drones, it is likely that the threats that have already proven effective in Ukraine will sooner or later appear in Israel.
In his opinion, if Israel launches a ground operation in Lebanon, FPV drones will become a “significant source of concern” for Israeli troops, as they already did in Ukraine.
In response to a request from Shomrim, the IDF Spokesperson's Office did not provide any comment on the matter.
Read us in channels Israel News Nikk.Agency News from Israel V – Telegram— Facebook, — Google News
