A photo of the Elbit Systems Skylark I-eVTOL. Hezbollah did not specify which model of the drone they intercepted. (Credit: Elbit Systems website)
BEIRUT — Hezbollah announced it had intercepted an Israeli Skylark drone on Tuesday, the second time in three days that the party, fighting with Israel at Lebanon's southern border, has claimed to have acquired this kind of drone, according to a party statement. They claim it is in "good condition."
The Skylark is a small, 45-kilogram drone, which is used by the Israeli infantry rather than its air force. It is easy to handle and does not require a runway for take-off.
On Saturday, Hezbollah said it intercepted the same type of drone, a first since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 8. The drone is radio-controlled, and its capture could signify certain hijacking capabilities on the part of Hezbollah.
There are three models of this drone, Skylark 1, 2, and 3, manufactured by Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons manufacturing company that also produces defense systems for Merkava tanks. Its older models have a range of 20 to 40 kilometers, while newer ones can venture up to 60 to 80 kilometers. Hezbollah did not give details on which model of Skylark they have captured.
Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire on a near-daily basis since Oct. 8, the day after Hamas' al-Aqsa Flood operation in southern-Israel. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has referred to the party's involvement as a "support front," in solidarity with its allies in Gaza.