(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — An Israeli Defense Force (IDF) “Hermes 450” Medium-Altitude Long Endurance drone was shot down by Hezbollah militants after breaching airspace over the town of Iqlim al-Tuffah in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon.
Videos showing the Israeli Hermes 450 being brought down by Hezbollah fighters have circulated on social media platforms.
The pro-Iranian armed group successfully targeted the Israeli drone with a surface-to-air missile, though the type of missile used remains undisclosed.
The Israeli military has confirmed the loss of a Hermes 450 drone in southern Lebanon, stating its medium-range air defense system, “David’s Sling,” successfully intercepted the first missile launched by Hezbollah fighters at the drone.
However, a second surface-to-air missile fired by the militants hit the drone, causing it to catch fire mid-air before crashing in Lebanese territory.
The Hermes 450 drone, developed by the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, also known as “Zik,” is utilized by the Israeli military for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions.
It is also designed for air interception missions, artillery fire guidance, intelligence gathering, tactical level surveillance, and air patrols.
Elbit Systems has exported the Hermes 450 drone to several countries, including in Southeast Asia, with Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines among the regional operators of the Israeli-manufactured drone.
The Philippines is believed to have spent US$175 million (RM700 million) to acquire about nine Hermes 900 drones and four Hermes 450s, along with all support equipment, spare parts, and ground control stations.
The Hermes 900 and 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are categorized as Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, capable of maritime and land surveillance, flying at altitudes of 30,000 feet and for durations of up to 36 hours non-stop.
The Philippine Air Force employs the Hermes 900 and 450 drones for various surveillance missions, including tracking terrorists hiding in forested or urban areas.
In 2022, the Philippine Air Force confirmed that one of its Hermes 900 drones crashed in a bushy area of the city shortly after losing all forms of communication with the ground control station controlling it.
In the same year, Thailand was reported to have spent US$120 million (RM480 million) to acquire seven Hermes 900 units, two mobile ground stations, and one indoor ground station.
The Thai-owned Hermes 900 drones can also be equipped with weapons systems.
Meanwhile, Israeli military analyst Hillel Peyton Rosen described the incident as “highly dangerous,” while military correspondent Amir Bohbot declared that the downing of the Hermes 450 drone had diminished the capabilities of the Israeli military.
In response to Hezbollah’s action of shooting down the Hermes 450 drone, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on the town of Baalbek, located approximately 100 km from the southern Lebanese border with Israel.
This attack is said to be Israel’s farthest airstrike into Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two Hezbollah militants. — DSA