A Skylark type drone from the Israeli company Elbit Systems during a test flight. (Screenshot of the Elbit Systems website)
BEIRUT — Since Oct. 8, when fighting began between Hezbollah and Israel on Lebanon's southern border in the aftermath of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Hezbollah has been announcing its strikes against Israeli positions on an almost daily basis.
On Feb. 11, in one of these communiqués, the party stated it had "taken control of an Israeli Skylark drone, which is in good technical condition." It did not specify where or how this interception took place.
What are the specifics of this device, and what does such an operation signify for Hezbollah? Retired General Khalil Helou spoke with L'Orient-Le Jour to provides some answers.
What does a Skylark drone look like? What are its special features?
There are three models of this drone, Skylark 1, 2, and 3, manufactured by Elbit Systems, an Israeli company that also produces defense systems for Merkava tanks.
This small 45-kilogram drone is used by the Israeli infantry rather than its air force, as it is easy to handle and does not require a runway for take-off. Its older models have a range of 20 to 40 kilometers, while newer ones can venture up to 60 to 80 kilometers.
What are these drones used for ?
They can be fitted with surveillance cameras equipped with transmitters. There's no need to record what the drone spots, as it's usually connected to an operator who follows its path [in real time] behind a screen.
The Skylark drone is radio-controlled. If Hezbollah has really captured it, as it has announced, this means it has the technological means to hijack it.
Do you think Hezbollah could have used the drone to gather information ?
I don't think Hezbollah got much out of the drone. I doubt that this equipment records what it sees and, if it did, it won't tell the party anything new since it was filming itself.
This operation is more a moral victory than anything else, as the capture of the drone does nothing to advance Hezbollah militarily. What's more, the Party of God will have no interest in trying to copy its technology, as its Iranian-made drones are far more sophisticated.
This article was originally published in French on L'Orient-Le Jour. Translated to English by Amelia Hankins.