The IDF is expanding its defenses against drone threats after signing a contract worth approximately $5.7 million (21 million shekels) with Israeli defense company Magos to supply hundreds of radar systems capable of detecting unmanned aerial vehicles.

The decision follows the successful operational use of eight Magos radar systems by the military. Based on their performance, the IDF approved a much larger procurement aimed at improving early warning capabilities for troops operating near the Lebanese border.

Unlike larger and far more expensive radar systems, the lightweight Magos units can be deployed widely across the battlefield at a fraction of the cost. Each system is designed to provide rapid alerts when an enemy drone approaches, giving soldiers valuable time to take cover even if the drone cannot be heard.

The system is also capable of detecting fiber-optic-guided drones, which do not rely on radio signals and are therefore much more difficult to detect using conventional electronic warfare methods. Detection is achieved through a combination of radar, artificial intelligence, and additional sensing technologies.

According to the company, the systems have undergone extensive testing in Israel and abroad and are optimized for tactical operations in remote locations thanks to their lightweight design, low power consumption, and rapid deployment capability.

The purchase reflects the IDF’s growing focus on countering small, inexpensive, and increasingly sophisticated drones, which have become a major battlefield threat in Lebanon and other combat zones, where they are used for surveillance, targeting, and explosive attacks against troops.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)