The “Iron Swords” war and Operation “Rising Lion” showcased Israel’s formidable military capabilities – spanning cutting-edge intelligence, offensive power and defensive resilience – against a backdrop of complex and evolving threats, both regional and global. Central to this success is the pioneering technology developed by Israel’s defence industry, spearheaded by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
At the core of these achievements lies a uniquely integrated partnership between IAI and the Israel defence Forces (IDF). IAI personnel are frequently embedded on military bases, providing real-time support for UAVs and intelligence aircraft. Remarkably, many also serve in reserve units, operating the very systems they helped design and build. This synergy becomes especially critical during active combat, where reservists bring back frontline insights that feed directly into rapid system upgrades—often implemented in near real-time.
“The most challenging mission to date”
This tight feedback loop between battlefield and development floor was clearly evident in the ground-breaking performance of the IAI-developed “Eitan” UAV during long-range operations. In an interview with the IDF’s official magazine Bamahane, the technical officer of Squadron 210, Maj. N., explained: “They’re essentially part of our team. I have a reservist technician who also works at IAI. One day he’s fixing systems in the squadron; the next, he’s back in the lab developing improvements. It’s seamless.” These upgrades enabled the UAV to perform its most challenging mission to date – an intelligence operation over 2,000 km away in Iranian territory.
“No other force in the world has faced this volume and complexity of missile threats”
Another example comes from the Arrow missile defence system. Lt. Col. Y., a commander at the Arrow’s Interception Control Center, described the past 18 months as a period of unmatched operational experience. “No other force in the world has faced this volume and complexity of missile threats. Our readiness is at an all-time high. The system is excellent – but it’s the people who make the difference.” He emphasized how IAI engineers were embedded during combat operations, helping update and optimize the system in real time. “They fight with us at night, and by morning, they’re back at work improving the tech. That proximity makes our systems exponentially better.”
A similar description of this proximity comes from Maj. Y., a reservist Air defence battery commander: “All our systems performed above expectations. There’s a constant learning process – within our teams and with the defence industries. Debriefs are immediate. We identify what worked, what can be improved, and implement upgrades at a remarkable pace.” He added, “There’s something truly remarkable happening here in terms of operational effectiveness and maximizing interception success.”
These stories highlight a simple truth: Israel’s military advantage isn’t just about having the best systems—it’s about the people behind them, the seamless cooperation between developer and operator, and the shared commitment to excellence in defence of the nation and beyond. Every system we build is personal – designed to protect our families. That’s why they work so well.
