Air Force to redeploy gun-based air defense systems to counter Hezbollah drones

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Smoke rises near the Israeli border with Lebanon, following missiles attack from Lebanon, July 21, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/ Flash90)
Smoke rises near the Israeli border with Lebanon, following missiles attack from Lebanon, July 21, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/ Flash90)

The Israeli Air Force is preparing to redeploy gun-based air defense systems to counter Hezbollah’s drones from Lebanon.

The IDF previously used the Vulcan, which was retired in 2006. It is not clear which system the IAF is planning to use now.

The ground-based systems would potentially be deployed to defend specific points, such as military bases or sensitive infrastructure, against Hezbollah drones. Such gun-based systems are not effective at covering wide areas.

Hezbollah has fired more than 300 explosive-laden drones at Israel during the ongoing war, and, according to the military, only half were intercepted. Around 30 of the drone impacts caused damage or casualties.

Until now, the IDF has used the Iron Dome air defense system and fighter jets, both using missiles, to shoot down Hezbollah drones.

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