The Israel Air Force (IAF) is set to expand its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fleet, securing further contracts for local defense companies Aeronautics, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This expansion includes the acquisition of more Heron MK2 aircraft and the establishment of a new squadron within the current year, followed by the introduction of the Hermes 650 Spark next year.
Col. K, head of the IAF’s UAV and Intelligence Department, stated that remotely piloted aircraft have become “central to every front” and will grow more critical in the coming years. This strategic shift prioritizes the projection of military power across multiple theaters, including Gaza, Lebanon, and deep inside Iran, while minimizing risk to the state’s own personnel.
Profits of Perpetual War
The local defense companies are responsible for the production of these UAVs, as well as all sensors and payloads, which are domestically manufactured and underwent significant upgrades during recent conflicts. These upgrades and continued procurement represent a steady stream of capital accumulation for the military-industrial complex.
Col. K noted that UAVs allow operations “near and far without risking human life,” emphasizing the state’s preference to deploy unmanned platforms for “attack and destroy threats” rather than manned aircraft. This approach ensures continuous engagement in conflict while externalizing the human cost to targeted populations.
During the past two years of fighting, including a recent campaign against Iran, UAVs were deployed extensively. The “12 Day War” in June 2025, known as Operation Rising Lion, marked a turning point, with drones sent “far beyond our borders.”
Israeli UAVs flew thousands of hours and carried out approximately 500 attacks in Iran during the June war, constituting around 50 percent of the total aerial attacks. In subsequent operations, Israeli remotely piloted aircraft flew even longer missions, often alongside American systems, indicating a broader imperial alliance in military operations.
The IAF relied heavily on its unmanned fleet to locate and strike launch sites, weapons warehouses, and logistical hubs as Iran launched missiles and attack drones. Col. K reported that UAVs “hunted missile launchers, warehouses, and weapons infrastructure, and we succeeded very nicely,” underscoring their effectiveness as instruments of state power.
The State's Instruments of Power
The IAF has invested heavily in technologies that enable drones to operate in GPS-denied environments, conditions described as common in Iranian and Lebanese airspace. This technological advancement ensures the continued operational capacity of these platforms regardless of countermeasures, extending the reach of military action.
Col. K highlighted that “all our payloads are Blue and white,” referring to their domestic production, and provide “day-and-night visibility to protect our troops and identify targets, whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or Iran.” This focus on protecting state forces and identifying targets reinforces the primary function of these systems: to project power and secure strategic objectives.
Despite some losses, including an estimated over a dozen Israeli drones and at least 20 American Reaper drones, Col. K maintained that the number of losses remained low due to preparation. This acceptance of material losses in pursuit of strategic goals further illustrates the state’s commitment to its military objectives.
Col. K concluded that “the future is UAVs” and that there are “endless possibilities for these platforms.” This vision signals a commitment to perpetual technological development and ongoing military engagement, ensuring sustained demand for the products of the defense industry.