UAS – Growing Threat that Demands a Response

UAS – Growing Threat that Demands a Response

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By Arie Egozi

The UAS that penetrated from Syria into Israel yesterday was not intercepted, although two ground-to-air Patriot missiles and one air-to-air missile from a fighter aircraft were launched towards its direction.

This fact underlines the need to get UAS interception systems instead of current  improvised solutions.

A siren was heard yesterday afternoon at the Golan Heights region following the infiltration of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) into Israel’s territory. Patriot missiles launched towards it failed to intercept the UAS. An air-to-air missile launched from a fighter aircraft also missed it.

A possibility is being checked, that it might have been a Russian UAS used by the Russian troops and Syrian forces loyal to Assad.

UAS’s have infiltrated from Lebanon and Syria in several occasions during the last few years. Some of them were shot down by Patriot missiles and air-to-air missiles, but it was clear that this has been part of an increasing trend. Intelligence information points to large dispatches of Iranian UAS to the Hizballah.

Launching a Patriot ground-to-air missile against an infiltrating UAS is the result of the lack of other means. These missiles are not intended for the interception of UAS’ size aircraft. The decision to  develop the Arrow missile was taken following the expansion of the ballistic missile threat on Israel. It was understood then that the Patriot missiles, despite a few upgrades, were not suitable for the interception of such long range missiles.

They were not designed for UAS interception either.

Israel developed the Iron Dome in attempt to confront the short range rockets threat from Gaza. The David Sling system is under development in attempt to meet the long range rockets menace.  

UAS, seen only occasionally over conflict regions in the past, have become an instrument operated almost daily. They are used mainly for purposes of intelligence gathering, but obviously they can be very easily transformed into “flying bombs”.

Systems for the detection and neutralization of UAS are under development in Israel and abroad now. But these systems are designated for the defense of sensitive installations, in a relatively restricted perimeter.

The problem of UAS infiltration from hostile states is a serious one, that will only escalate in the future. There will be no choice but to find a suitable operative solution, similarly to the solutions found for the rockets and ballistic missiles threats.

UAS with stealth capabilities are already being developed around the world. This capability will be based on the UAS structure and various defense systems it carries. Recognizing the fact that the UAS have become a central tool used by armies and terrorist organizations alike, it is becoming clear that the need to achieve effective defense systems against them will be even more urgent.

Israel is constructing a multi-layered anti rockets and anti ballistic missiles defense system. Means to confront the new genuine threat are also needed.