On October 10, Hezbollah announced that its gunmen had successfully shot down Israel’s Hermes 900 UAV equipped with missiles using anti-aircraft weapons. This is the third time that Hezbollah has claimed to have downed Israel’s Hermes 900 UAV since the conflict began between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed that one of its UAVs was hit and damaged while operating in Lebanese airspace, but it did not specify the type of UAV targeted. The Hermes 900 is an upgraded version of the Hermes 450 series, boasting improved flight range, payload, and operating time.
Hezbollah may possess advanced air defense systems such as Buk-M2 and Pantsir-S1 missiles from Iran and Syria, capable of intercepting targets at altitudes up to 25 km. The group acquired Saqr 358 missiles from Iran last year, changing the landscape of its air defense capabilities.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, with both sides increasing attacks on each other’s targets. While Hezbollah uses suicide UAVs, the Israeli army conducts precision attacks against armed groups in Lebanon. The growing tensions raise concerns about the risk of the conflict spreading and causing more casualties on both sides.
