Hezbollah’s drones have long posed a formidable challenge to Tel Aviv, with tensions escalating between the group and the Israeli military nearly a year after the war on Gaza. The group’s drone operations have marked a significant shift in the balance of military strategies, revealing vulnerabilities in Israel’s defense systems.
Recent data indicates that since October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has launched over 1,200 drones armed with explosives targeting northern regions of Israel. This increasing frequency underscores a strategic approach aimed at disrupting Israeli military operations.
Just two days ago, a Hezbollah drone managed to breach air defenses and strike a military base belonging to the Golani Brigade, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers and injuries to 61 others, including eight critically wounded. This incident marks the highest single-day casualty rate for the Israeli army since October 2023, highlighting the group’s operational capabilities.
Deceptive Tactics
An Israeli investigation revealed that the drone in this recent attack “outmaneuvered the air force,” which lost contact and assumed it had self-detonated due to its low-altitude flight. The New York Times described the attack as “a deadly assault on an army base, exposing Israel’s vulnerability to drone attacks.” Despite having one of the world’s best missile and projectile defense systems, Israel finds it challenging to detect slow-moving drones, according to military experts.
The latest incident not only showcased Hezbollah’s ability to inflict damage on Israel but also highlighted significant gaps in Israeli air defenses, as reported by the New York Times.
Analyzing Hezbollah’s Drone Capabilities
To better understand the combat power of Hezbollah’s drone arsenal, this report examines the most notable drones in the group’s inventory, based on several reports, including those from the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post.
Over 2,000 Drones in Hezbollah’s Arsenal
Hezbollah’s military arsenal boasts more than 2,000 drones, capable of carrying out surveillance missions or transporting explosive materials. According to estimates published by various Israeli and American research centers, these drones are relatively cheap to produce, allowing Hezbollah to potentially deploy large swarms to overwhelm Israeli air defenses.
The group has been known to deploy different types of drones, many of which perform surveillance tasks. While the full range of Hezbollah’s drones remains undisclosed, it is believed that they utilize commercial quadcopters alongside smaller drones capable of video surveillance and intelligence gathering.
These drones have been observed flying over Israeli military bases in the Galilee and Golan regions, with Hezbollah frequently releasing surveillance footage captured by its drones.
Mirsad 1 and Mirsad 2
The Mirsad series drones are based on the Iranian Ababil and Mohajer models. These Iranian drones are part of larger families of UAVs developed for various tactical uses. Hezbollah acquired these drones decades ago and has since modified them to suit its needs.
Mirsad drones have a long tubular body and longer wings positioned at the rear compared to shorter front wings. Depending on the variant, Mirsad drones can carry up to 40 kilograms of ammunition and have an operational range of approximately 120 kilometers.
Ababil-3 Drone
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- Origin: Iran
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- The Ababil-3 is versatile, capable of kamikaze-style attacks or direct offensive missions. It can carry high-explosive payloads, enabling precision strikes. With a flight ceiling of 15,000 feet and an operational range of 250 kilometers, this drone can transmit live footage to ground control stations or other receivers. It is powered by a gasoline engine capable of continuous operation for up to eight hours.
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- The drone measures six meters in length, with longer wings at the rear and shorter wings at the front, and features a propeller at the tail end. It is typically launched from the back of a truck, reaching flight speeds of up to 370 km/h.
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- According to Israel’s Alma Research Center, the Ababil-3 is a key asset in Hezbollah’s drone arsenal.
Shahed-136 Drone
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- Weighing around 200 kg, the Shahed-136 can carry a warhead weighing up to 50 kg. With a wingspan of 2.5 meters and a body length of about 3.5 meters, it boasts an impressive range of approximately 2,000 kilometers.
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- The Shahed-136 was first sighted in Yemen in January 2021 and has since been exported to Russia, where it was utilized against Ukraine during the war that erupted in 2022. This drone is easily transported in a shipping container and can be launched with ease.
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- It features a V-shaped design with delta wings, a rear-mounted engine, and a forward-positioned warhead.
Mohajer-6 Drone
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- Origin: Iran
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- Designed for both reconnaissance and combat missions, the Mohajer-6 can be outfitted to engage both stationary and mobile targets. It has an operational range of about 2,000 kilometers and can carry up to 40 kilograms of precision-guided bombs. The drone can fly for 12 hours continuously at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet, reaching speeds of 200 km/h.
Shahed-129 Drone
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- Origin: Iran
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- The Shahed-129 is equipped for surveillance and attack, capable of targeting both fixed and mobile assets. With a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, it can carry 40 kilograms of smart bombs and maintain 12 hours of continuous flight at an altitude of 18,000 feet, operating at speeds of approximately 200 km/h.
Karrar Drone
The Karrar is an Iranian-made UAV, developed from the American Striker drone. It combines kamikaze attack capabilities with bomb-dropping and air-to-air missile engagements. With a relatively long range, the Karrar can travel up to 1,000 kilometers and typically cruises at speeds of 700 km/h, though it can reach 900 km/h when needed to exit dangerous zones swiftly.
