IAI Chairman Admits Delayed Response to Drone Threat

Boaz Levy, Chairman of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), has acknowledged that Israel entered the fight against the drone threat "a bit later than perhaps necessary," citing budgetary constraints and shifting priorities as contributing factors. He stated that while IAI now possesses a "perfect solution" for drone detection, the interception phase requires a multi-layered approach combining kinetic, electronic, and laser countermeasures, especially for dealing with large swarms. Levy emphasized that the future battlefield will be characterized by increased reliance on satellites, artificial intelligence, robotics, and missiles, with blurred lines between the front and rear. He warned that future wars will occur within cities, necessitating seamless integration of all defense systems.

Levy highlighted Israel's significant advancements in space technology, noting that IAI has been a pioneer since the late 1970s, developing capabilities comparable to the US and Soviet Union. He pointed to the Ofek satellite series as crucial for providing intelligence during recent conflicts, enabling precise strikes and advanced operational planning. During the recent war, Israel launched three satellites, including the Dror communication satellite and two Ofek observation satellites, demonstrating its prowess as a space power. The data from these satellites forms the foundation for AI-driven systems.

IAI is actively pursuing a plan to deploy a larger constellation of smaller satellites for continuous monitoring of areas of interest, from Iran to Turkey. This initiative, which has governmental approval and funding from IAI's R&D budget and the Ministry of Defense, aims to provide real-time intelligence with high resolution. Levy stressed that Israel must be among the top three global space powers, a goal he believes the nation is rapidly approaching.

Looking ahead, Levy envisions a battlefield with fewer soldiers and more autonomous capabilities, emphasizing the need to reduce the burden on ground troops through increased use of robots. This shift requires advanced sensing capabilities and vast data repositories to feed sophisticated AI algorithms. He also stated that future wars will not be confined to borders but will occur within cities, involving civilians, security forces, rescue teams, and hospitals, all dependent on shared data and integrated systems. Levy stressed the urgency of investing in these technologies now to ensure future security, despite the high costs of recent conflicts.

Regarding missile capabilities, Levy stated that the question is not whether Israel needs a dedicated missile corps, but whether it requires missiles for specific scenarios, which he affirmed. He believes the recent war underscored this need, noting that missiles can provide temporary superiority. The operational command of these missiles, whether by the Air Force, Ground Forces, or a separate corps, is a secondary consideration to ensuring their development and deployment.