Santiago Holley’s Post

Hezbollah's recent drone strike inside Israeli territory reveals the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) in modern warfare. The tactics used in this attack—low radar signature, precision targeting, and exploiting gaps in air defense—bear striking similarities to those developed by russia in Ukraine. This underscores an important reality: countries and defense producers that distance themselves from the Ukrainian battlefield are distancing themselves from critical real-world experience. As Ukraine has demonstrated, the future of warfare is rapidly evolving, with drones playing a key role. To stay ahead, global defense sectors must engage with the lessons learned in Ukraine to effectively counter emerging threats. #UAVs #DefenseTech #DroneWarfare #InnovationInDefense #Ukraine #Israel More about: https://lnkd.in/d3QyEQqz

𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that an Israeli Navy warship shot down a drone off the coast of Haifa, near the Karish gas field. Israeli forces believe that the UAV was launched by Hezbollah, and was likely conducting surveillance at the Karish gas field. The IDF says that an Israeli corvette used the naval version of its Iron Dome air defense system to shoot down the incoming threat long before it reached the gas field, and that it never posed a serious threat. Security forces told Jerusalem Post that a real drone attack would have involved multiple UAVs in order to increase the chance of reaching the target, and that it was likely a propaganda mission rather than an actual attempt at sabotage. The Karish field is an offshore natural gas reservoir off the coast of Haifa. It began production in 2022, immediately after a historic boundary demarcation agreement between the Lebanese and Israeli governments cleared the way for development. From the field's FPSO, the Energean Power, gas is piped to shore and sold to power utilities. Israeli defense sources expect that Hezbollah will likely leak footage from the drone for propaganda purposes. Hezbollah recently released drone videos purporting to show detailed surveillance of areas in Haifa and the Golan Heights, including the Haifa naval base, shipyards, military infrastructure and forward positions used by the Israeli Army - some as far as 25 nautical miles south of the Lebanese border. The videos drew controversy because Israeli airspace is tightly controlled and well-defended, and the presence of a free-roaming drone was a warning that Hezbollah might be able to reach sensitive targets if it chose to do so. 

In the evolving landscape of *modern warfare,* *drones* have rapidly transformed into a powerful force, dramatically altering the dynamics of conflicts from the *remote hills of Manipur in India* to the *battlegrounds of Ukraine.* Initially designed for humanitarian objectives like delivering medicines and pesticides, drones have been reimagined as potent instruments of *destruction* . This transformation heralds a new era where technology, once a symbol of advancement, now teeters between *being a savior and a harbinger of doom.* As these conflicts unfold, the global community watches with heightened concern, recognizing the urgent need to address the growing prominence of *drone warfare.* Collaborative efforts are essential in developing strategies to tackle the unique challenges drones pose. By enhancing counter-drone technologies, promoting dialogue, and addressing the underlying causes of violence, we can mitigate their destructive potential. The experiences of *Manipur and Ukraine* will guide future military strategies and global security policies, highlighting the need for decisive solutions in a *complex world.* https://lnkd.in/dYkDtS5W

Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns "We will not only restore the damage that some attempt to cause to us but will also move forward even at a faster pace as we are doing now," Russian President said MOSCOW, December 22/ Kiev will regret it and face even more destruction after its drone attack on the city of Kazan in the Volga area, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday. "Whoever and however tries to destroy something in our country, he will face destruction many times larger in his own country and will regret its attempts to do that in our country," Putin said at a ceremony of opening new airport and road infrastructure sites in Russian regions via a video link. The head of state pledged that Russia would keep moving forward. "We will not only restore the damage that some attempt to cause to us but will also move forward even at a faster pace as we are doing now. We will develop road networks, urban and housing construction," Putin assured. On December 21, the Ukrainian military attacked the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Volga area with eight unmanned aerial vehicles, including attacks on apartment buildings. No one was hurt in the Ukrainian drone attacks, according to preliminary data. One Ukrainian drone attempted to attack an industrial enterprise but failed to reach its target. As the Russian Defense Ministry reported, the Ukrainian military attacked Kazan in three waves from various directions. Three Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed by air defense systems and three others were suppressed by electronic warfare stations. #business #finance #financialservices

A chilling glimpse into the future of warfare, where unmanned systems inflict disproportionate psychological terror alongside appalling physical damage. In Kherson, Ukraine, civilians are enduring a relentless "human safari" as Russian FPV drones, once relegated to the battlefield, now terrorize everyday life. The physical destruction is devastating, but the psychological toll is arguably worse, turning daily routines into a terrifying game of survival—the aim to promote capitulation and destroy a population’s will to resist. #ukraine #russia #FPV #irregularwarfare #unmannedsystems #UAS https://lnkd.in/gUdbBrgv

Stanley Baldwin famously asserted that "The bomber will always get through". In technology and tactics, attack drones are earning a similar reputation in recent and current conflicts. This attack captures recurring themes that still present limited options for responding forces: 1) Drones were originally develped to compensate for, and perhaps eliminate human frailty/error in target selection and situational awareness. Human error is being presented (not all that convincingly, it ought to be said) as the reason the attack was undetected. Air defence systems are still based on concepts for countering threats with the dimensions, altitude, velocity and radar cross section of crewed aircraft and ballistic missiles; it will likely take time and experimentation to catch up to this threat. Drone countermeasures in this sense have been something of an afterthought in doctrine and theory. 2) Whether this attack came over the Arabian Peninsular or (more likely?) the Red Sea and Northeastern African coastline, it not only got past a series of early detection perimeters, but, more interestingly, the vector of the attack (i.e. across the Red Sea, north into the Mediterranean, and East, to Tel Aviv) appears to show the use waypoint adjustment techonolgy basic enough to fit on a one-way propeller-driven drone. 3) Having allies that protect and monitor the airspace between oneself and a belligerent, is no longer a guarantee against deadly incursions. To say nothing of the implications for sovereignty, there is added difficulty to the question "can we tell when it's war time anymore?" #DroneWarfare #ModenWarfare #AirDefence A deadly Houthi attack on Tel Aviv is forcing Israel to rethink its drone defenses

Silent Skies, Active Eyes: Preparing for the Post-War Drone Challenge As the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon comes into effect, it's imperative that we look beyond the immediate calm and remain vigilant. The evolving threat of drones continues to challenge border security, underscoring the need for proactive measures to safeguard our defenses—even during times of truce. In my latest article, I discuss the strategies Israeli security forces should adopt to address this issue. These insights are also relevant to other countries facing similar challenges from enemy-operated drones along their borders. Read more below. #BorderSecurity #DroneDefense #IsraelDefense #GlobalSecurity #DroneThreats #HomelandSecurity #BorderChallenges SKYLOCK - C-UAS Aviad Matza, Ofer Kachan, Ha Thi Le Ho, Shay Dgani, Elad Gvili, Abir Mazuz, Eli Weber, Moran Shlobscky

Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the conflict on 10 November, prompting widespread air-alerts and the temporary closure of 3 airports in the Russian capital. Ukrainian commentators said the strike on Moscow was in response to a massive Russian drone barrage directed at Kyiv on Thursday, soon after Donald Trump was elected as US president. Russia claimed to intercept most of the Ukrainian drones, however 1 fatality and up to 5 injured civilians have been reported so far. Russia's Defence Ministry commented that their air defences intercepted 7 drones in 3hrs, including 34 over Moscow. Russia responded to the Ukrainian attack the following night, with the largest recorded deployment of drones in a single attack thus far (145 drones were deployed, of which 62 were downed by Ukraine). This synchronized deployment of drones marks a concerning trend in the conflict, with both sides increasing the scale and frequency of these aerial strikes, each attempting to offset the other’s advancements. These latest air attacks happened as Russia is reportedly amassing tens of thousands of soldiers to launch a major assault aimed at recapturing Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk oblast. The force, believed to be around 50,000 strong and which reportedly includes North Korean reinforcements, is likely to attack in the coming days, according to a US assessment cited on Sunday by the New York Times. The increased use of drones this weekend also highlights recent improvements and tactical changes in their use noting that the latest drones, which range from high-altitude surveillance models to low-cost kamikaze drones, offer new capabilities to both militaries, allowing for precise, real-time data collection and potentially devastating attacks on high-value targets with lower financial and human risk compared to traditional air strikes. Ukraine’s use of drones within Russian borders also demonstrates a symbolic and strategic bid to show strength, disrupt operations, and maintain morale domestically. For Russia, their latest barrage also reflects an attempt to counter Ukrainian advances and disable infrastructure, with the goal of pressuring Ukraine into entering any potential negotiations on Russia’s terms, with Putin potentially feeling emboldened following the result of the US Election. Arete provide various protective services to reduce the risks posed by drone and missile attacks throughout Ukraine - please contact Becki Blair-Jones or Andrew Mullins to discuss any requirements you may have in the coming months

On November 10, 2024, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow proper since the onset of the war, deploying at least 34 attack drones. This significant strike forced the temporary closure of three major Moscow airports, including Sheremetyevo, as flights were diverted and operations were disrupted. Russian officials reported that the attack resulted in injuries, with one person hospitalized due to shrapnel wounds. The assault targeted various districts, including Ramenskoye and Kolomensky, and was described by Moscow’s regional governor as a “massive attack.” Russia claimed to have intercepted and destroyed many of the incoming drones, but it's estimated that almost half of the swarm was able to break through Russian defenses and hit their targets. This escalation comes amid a backdrop of increasing casualties on both sides, with recent estimates suggesting Russia has faced its highest monthly losses since the conflict began. As tensions rise, the implications of this attack extend beyond immediate disruptions, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region and the evolving nature of warfare. #uav #militaryaviation #counterdrones #swarms #counteruav #cuav https://lnkd.in/e42n59j7

Countering Drone Threats for Future Security. As the situation stabilizes along Israel’s borders, the role of drones in intelligence gathering and psychological warfare continues to grow. SKYLOCK - C-UAS ’s advanced solutions are crucial in disrupting these threats, ensuring security, and preventing future escalation. Read our latest article to learn how the IDF can effectively neutralize drone threats using electronic and technological warfare strategies. Yogev Yadin