The military and security forces of Israel gathered to discuss the response to the drone threat – exercises based on scenarios more extreme than the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, as well as examples from the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Senior officers of the Israel Defense Forces held a closed meeting on Wednesday with representatives of all key security agencies — from the Air Force to the police and internal security services. The goal was extremely practical: to develop a joint approach to countering the growing threat of drones at the country’s borders. The army reported the meeting on Thursday morning, emphasizing it as part of a new systemic process.

In the official release, the event was described as a “training session,” but behind this mild definition lay a much more urgent task — to establish a common language between military structures, exchange real experiences, and understand which solutions should become the standard by tomorrow.

Initial Conclusions and Technological Solutions

During the meeting, participants were presented with potential operational and technological responses to the UAV threat. Demonstrations of systems, discussions on sensor effectiveness, suppression programs, and the distribution of responsibility zones — all of this was part of the brainstorming session that should form an updated approach.

The security forces participating in the session noted the importance of immediate coordination. In conditions where a drone can travel dozens of kilometers in a matter of minutes, every delay, every “gap” between units becomes critical.

Exercises “Roaring Lion”: A Warning Signal

Recent large-scale IDF exercises in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley only confirmed the need for change. The maneuvers “Roaring Lion,” held from November 10–12, included 40 operational scenarios, 11 of which were directly related to gliders and strike drones. According to “Makor Rishon,” the participating forces failed to effectively neutralize the UAV threat.

High-ranking officers acknowledged that in several episodes, the army could not quickly adapt to the tactics of the hypothetical enemy. This became an important lesson — sometimes unpleasant, but necessary.

How Tactics Changed During the Exercises

Despite the failure of initial attempts, the units managed to regroup. During subsequent stages of the exercises, aviation surveillance measures were strengthened, and soldiers were prohibited from moving in large groups to reduce potential losses.

The scenarios were deliberately extreme — including conditions harsher than the Hamas attack on October 7, as well as elements of tactics borrowed from the Russian-Ukrainian war. Some drones attacked with water balloons, simulating combat ammunition.

Simulation of Strikes and Vulnerabilities

Small UAVs were used to model attacks on critical facilities, command posts, armored vehicles, special forces, as well as for deceptive maneuvers. The military noted that such threats are becoming increasingly likely in modern conflicts.

The exercises showed that drones can impact various elements of the troops — from forward groups to medical evacuation zones. And these conclusions were brought up for discussion at the “training session” on Wednesday.

The Need for a New Approach

IDF officers openly admit: the current system for countering drones requires modernization. And it’s not just about defense — Israel needs to actively develop offensive drone units capable of mirroring the enemy’s tactics.

That is why on Thursday the army emphasized that work on a new multi-level strategy must begin immediately — from intercepting cyber signals to physically neutralizing targets. These steps are becoming a key element of the country’s updated defense architecture, which is already being analyzed and discussed in NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency, recording the formation of a new security standard amid increasingly complex challenges.