Israel Defence Ministry details technological reach in Iran strike campaign

Israel’s Ministry of Defence has unveiled details of cutting-edge military technologies and operations that have been deployed on the Iranian front, underscoring the country’s preparedness amid escalating regional tensions.

The Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Defence Research and Development (MAFAT) has revealed unprecedented activity involving Israeli drones, air defence systems, and space reconnaissance assets, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

In a significant operational milestone, MAFAT confirmed that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have, for the first time, conducted sustained missions in what the military classifies as the “third echelon”—deep inside Iranian territory. Unlike previous operations focused on neighbouring countries (first echelon) or regional actors such as Iraq and Yemen (second echelon), this new echelon represents a bold extension of Israel's strategic reach.

The drones reportedly accumulated thousands of flight hours and successfully struck over 500 targets. MAFAT officials emphasized the scale and precision of the operation, calling it a major leap in Israel's intelligence-gathering and operational capabilities.

Israel’s advanced air defence systems also played a pivotal role throughout the ongoing conflict. According to MAFAT estimates, these systems prevented property damage exceeding 50 billion shekels (approx. $13.5 billion) and saved countless lives. Official IDF figures indicate that 36 Iranian missiles landed in populated areas during the hostilities. However, the interception rate stood at an impressive 86 percent, highlighting the effectiveness of Israel’s multi-layered defence architecture.

Israel's space-based intelligence capabilities were also brought to the fore. Satellite and aerial imaging systems covered tens of millions of square kilometers over Iranian territory, collecting over 12,000 high-resolution images—both day and night—providing critical situational awareness and real-time targeting data.

By Vafa Guliyeva