According to a report by The Times of Israel on May 3, 2026, following a surge in drone attacks by Hezbollah targeting Israel Defense Forces personnel in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the creation of a dedicated initiative to counter the escalating threat.
In a video statement, Netanyahu revealed that he had ordered the formation of a specialized program weeks earlier to address drone-related risks, adding that he was set to receive a progress briefing on the effort. He cautioned that tangible results would take time but assured that work is actively underway.
He also outlined plans to reinforce Israel’s defense capabilities, noting that procurement efforts will focus on enhancing operational strength while boosting self-sufficiency. As part of this strategy, Israel is acquiring two squadrons of advanced fighter jets, including the F-35 Lightning II and F-15IA, which he said would further solidify the country’s air dominance demonstrated in recent military operations.
Netanyahu underscored the readiness of Israeli forces, stating that their pilots are capable of reaching targets across Iran if necessary and are prepared for such missions.
On defense autonomy, he disclosed that he has directed increased investment in domestic weapons production, with plans to commit approximately NIS 350 billion over the next decade to expand local manufacturing capacity.
He further hinted at future innovations, mentioning ongoing work on advanced aircraft developed within Israel that could significantly reshape its military capabilities, though he did not clarify whether these systems would be unmanned or piloted……See More
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