Hezbollah’s use of fiber-optic, first-person view (FPV) drones has become a significant threat to Israel’s military, with at least 12 Israeli soldiers killed by these drones since March. The drones are extremely difficult to detect as they do not emit radio signals, making them immune to electronic warfare methods.

Israel’s Response

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has begun deploying mesh netting to protect troops and bases, and has also provided soldiers with shotguns and fragmenting rounds to take down approaching drones. The IDF has launched an appeal to private tech and defense companies to develop effective countermeasures, including non-radio frequency sensors to identify fiber-optic drones.

Companies like Airwayz are working on software that can manage low-altitude airspace and identify potential threats. Airwayz’s system fuses data from multiple sensors to rapidly identify friendly and hostile drones alike. The company’s chief technology officer, Shai Kurianski, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that giving soldiers more warning time could significantly change the outcome of drone attacks.

International Implications

The use of fiber-optic drones by Hezbollah is not a new development, as they first emerged on the battlefield in Ukraine two years ago. Ukrainian officials had warned their Israeli counterparts about the danger, but Israel seems to have been underprepared for the threat. The situation highlights the importance of international cooperation and information sharing in addressing emerging security challenges.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.