The rise of the combat drone is changing the nature of the battlefield, as Israel has already found to its cost. The 7 October atrocity began when dozens of cheap commercial drones equipped with explosives paralysed the Israeli army’s communications and camera systems surrounding the Gaza border.
It was the first crucial phase in an intricately planned terrorist attack which would end hours later with more than 1,500 Israeli deaths and a nation traumatised.
Imagery released later by Hamas on social media showed small drones exploding on communications towers and on army lookout posts. The Israeli Defence Forces – one of the world’s most battle-ready armies, which prides itself on its ability to defend the country against all enemies – was caught cold.
The use of drones is the latest development in the concept known as asymmetric warfare, a term which came into general use after 9/11 when al-Qaeda hijacked commercial aircraft and flew them into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.
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