Yehudah and Shomron Units to Get Drones

Drones are set to take a more active role in defense in Yehudah and Shomron in the coming months. A report on the NRG news site said that the IDF has hatched a new plan that would provide a drone to all units operating in Yehudah and Shomron. The drones, which will be under the control of unit officers, will be used to prevent terror attacks and provide quick assistance to soldiers in the field.

Under the plan, all units will have a drone at their disposal by the end of 2017. The first ones have been distributed over the past several weeks. The drones themselves are small with limited flying time capability – similar to those sold commercially around the world. The IDF drones are also flexible, with wings that can be folded back to make it easier to transport them. The drones can fly as high as 150 meters, and are equipped with high-resolution cameras and communication equipment.

The use for the drones is when news of a security incident reaches a unit. As soldiers scramble to arrive at the site of the incident, the drone can be dispatched to take first photos of the incident, while it is still in progress, and communicate those photos to soldiers on the way to the incident so they know what to expect. The drones can also take photos of offenders, providing another security level that might discourage terrorists from taking part in attacks, like rock- and firebomb-throwing attacks.

“This program will double our capabilities in the field,” the report quoted a senior IDF commander as saying. “It provides us with a significant advantage for our forces. The drones allow commanders to look around the corner, providing information about events that are beyond their current scope. We expect that with time we will find more uses for drones.”