IDF to buy thousands of FPV drones as drone warfare reshapes ...
AI Analysis
The IDF plans to acquire 12,000 FPV assault drones to enhance its capabilities against threats like Hezbollah, reflecting the growing importance of drone warfare. The tender emphasizes Israeli-made drones with Western supply chains, avoiding Chinese components. This move aligns with global trends in drone warfare, as seen in Ukraine's extensive use of FPV drones.
Key Takeaways
- IDF issues tender for 12,000 FPV assault drones.
- Emphasis on Israeli-made drones with Western components.
- Hezbollah increases use of FPV drones in recent conflicts.
- FPV drones are pivotal in Ukraine's current warfare tactics.
- XTEND and other Israeli companies are key bidders for the tender.
Why It Matters
The procurement of FPV drones by the IDF signifies a strategic shift towards modern drone warfare, mirroring tactics seen in Ukraine. This move enhances Israel's defense capabilities against regional threats like Hezbollah and reduces dependency on Chinese components, addressing security concerns.
IDF to issue tender for 12,000 Israeli-made assault drones | The Jerusalem Post
IDF to issue tender for 12,000 Israeli-made assault drones
Among the bidders in the new tender are Ondas Holdings, Xtend, and Robotican
The XTEND Scorpio 500 drone is a significant development by the company.(photo credit: XTEND)
IDF Ground Forces and the Ministry of Defense Procurement Directorate are seeking to equip the army with Israeli-made assault drones, as part of the developing drone war against Hamas and Hezbollah. In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has been making increased use of drones in recent weeks. Just yesterday, an IDF spokesman revealed that Egoz unit forces had killed a Hezbollah terrorist using an assault drone, apparently a Bat-type drone manufactured by Israeli company Xtend.
Last year, Xtend won a Ministry of Defense tender to manufacture and supply 5,000 low-cost assault drones. The tender drew widespread criticism in the industry because it required bids offering drones with a low-profitability specification, which also included a component from China — a video transmitter manufactured by a Hong Kong company.
The new tender includes a requirement to purchase 12,000 first-person-view (FPV) assault drones that can be manually piloted by wearing virtual reality goggles and a joystick and are equipped with special features such as night vision cameras. The cost of each such drone could range from NIS 20,000 to 25,000, a significant increase in price compared with the drones ordered by the army in the previous tender, which was estimated at NIS 3,500 per unit.
The total cost of the tender could therefore reach NIS 30 million, well up from the previous tender. In addition, the new specification does not require companies to use electronic components from China and guarantees a more Western supply chain. This after criticism leveled at the army that the influx of drones and components from China could harm data security in the campaign. Even today, a significant portion of the army's surveillance and intelligence drones come from Chinese models, including from DJI and Autel.
Israeli drone startup XTEND has secured a multi-million-dollar contract from the US Department of Defense to develop and deliver AI-enabled, modular, one-way attack drones designed for close-quarter combat. (credit: XTEND)
Mass and cheap domestic production
In contrast to the high price the IDF will pay for drones, Hezbollah's FPV drones are produced cheaply by the terrorists in domestic production, using assembly plans transferred to them from the Russian army, according to estimates from US research institute FDD. These are tiny drones that cost hundreds of dollars per unit, usually between $400 and $500. They include four bladed engines assembled on parts that can be printed on a 3D printer, or purchased without export restrictions from sites like