"Despite three missiles being launched, we were unable to break down and identify a drone that, a few hours ago, violated our airspace." Strange admission that of the Israeli Defense Forces, forced to clarify what happened yesterday afternoon, when three missiles were launched against an unidentified aircraft.
The drone came from Syria and this is the only certainty. A few seconds after detecting it on the Golan Heights, the Israelis launch two interceptor missiles Patriot PAC-2 in rapid sequence: both miss the target. The General Staff then decides to send an F-16 to take down the threat, while all missile defense stations in northern Israel are alerted and ready for combat. The fighter frames the drone, fires a missile at him, but fails to hit him. The drone will never be shot down.
According to the IDF, the drone could be Russian-made. At this time the army is trying to ascertain the true purpose of the unidentified aircraft. Israel fears that the drone may have been sent by Hezbollah, which is currently fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces, to photograph military maneuvers in the Golan.
On previous occasions, Israel has already shot down enemy drones on the Golan, but what happened yesterday shows the effectiveness of the UAV threat, able to overcome even one of the best defensive screens in the world like that of Israel.
From the Israel Air Force they specify that the "drone was monitored immediately, but any attempt to intercept it was in vain". The Israeli General Staff confirms an internal investigation to ascertain the nature of the drone and the circumstances that prevented its interception. What happened yesterday demonstrates the progress of UAV technology, probably a step forward compared to the current shielding. If this gap lengthens, future scenarios could be unpredictable.
Although advanced, Israel's air defenses have been unable to intercept a single UAV threat. If it had been a swarm attack, the direction in that sense is now taken, the systems Iron Dome e David's Sling they may not be able to intercept a stratified threat.
Mystery, finally, on the characteristics of the drone. Maximum confidentiality by the IDF, but if it were a low observability drone, Israel could be forced to review its defensive strategy and confirm Hezbollah's capabilities.
(photo: US DoD / IAF)
