Ex-Intel Officer Returns From Ukraine to Push New Anti-Drone Tactics Into the IDF

Lt. Col. V., a 49-year-old reserve officer and former senior high-tech executive, says his experience fighting alongside Ukrainians has shaped his effort to bring new ways of dealing with drones into the IDF. Born in Ukraine, he immigrated to Israel in 1990 at age 13, later volunteered to help Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, and became involved in forming combat frameworks that used NATO-style methods.

He describes drones as a major revolution in modern warfare because they dramatically expand firepower and intelligence gathering. But, he says, the deeper problem is not the drones themselves. “The battlefield has become transparent, everyone sees everyone,” he warned. “It’s not only the threat, it’s the pace at which it evolves. Whoever does not keep up, falls behind.”

According to V., asymmetric war is about exploiting the weaknesses of the stronger side, and Ukraine showed him the contrast between a fast, flexible force and a slower one. He argues that drones are only a symptom. “The real threat is the speed and availability of these capabilities. It changes all the rules of the game,” he said.

After the October 7 attack, he was mobilized for reserve duty, assigned to Northern Command, and says he saw gaps in how the IDF was handling the threat. He has been involved in training, operational measures, and promoting local technological developments. “There is no magic solution,” he said. “It is a multi-layered system, technology, operational behavior and a deep understanding of the threat.” He added that defense alone is not enough, and that “a military that does not change in time quickly loses its advantage.”