The Iran–Israel Conflict: Aviation, Air Defence, and Drone Warfare

The 2025 Iran–Israel conflict has dramatically reshaped regional aerial warfare–impacting airspace security, air defence systems, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This detailed analysis explores how modern aviation and defense technologies are being deployed on both sides and what it means for the future of aerial combat.

Civil Aviation Disruptions & Airspace Safety

Heightened military operations over Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries have prompted NOTAMs across Turkey and others, forcing airlines to reroute flights and increase fuel expenditures. This entire flight information region (FIR) is now tightly monitored, where any misstep could lead to interception by missiles or UAVs.

Air Defence Systems Under Stress

Israel’s layered systems—Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow‑3—have been vital in intercepting Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles. But in June 2025, Israel also deployed fighter jets and remotely piloted aircraft to disable over 70 Iranian missile batteries in attacks focusing on radars and launchers.

Iran’s air defenses—including Bavar‑373 and Khordad‑15—have been frequently engaged. Both nations are also utilizing ECM (electronic countermeasures), drone decoys, and radar spoofing to probe and degrade adversary systems.

Drone Warfare: UAVs & Loitering Munitions

Iranian UAV Arsenal & Strategy

• Shahed‑136 / Shahed‑131 are low-cost kamikaze drones (~$20–50 k apiece), launched en masse to force adversaries to expend expensive interceptors.
  • April 2024: Iran launched 170 drones (mostly Shahed‑136) with 120 ballistic and 30 cruise missiles; ~99 % were intercepted.
• Shahed‑129 MALE UCAV: endurance ~24 hr, 1 700 km range, 150 kg payload, carries Sadid‑345 missiles.
• Mohajer‑6 ISR/strike drone: ~200 kg payload, ~200 km range, can deploy guided bombs/missiles.
• Shahed‑149 “Gaza”, Kaman‑22, Qods Mohajer‑10: strategic platforms with ~2 000 km range and 300 kg+ payloads.

These systems form a layered drone doctrine designed for ISR, precision strikes, and saturation attacks to stress Israel’s defenses.

Israeli Drone-Sabotage & Air Campaign

• In June 2025’s “Operation Rising Lion,” Mossad smuggled and deployed micro-UAVs within Iran to covertly disable SSM and air-defence sites, paving the way for IAF strikes.
• On June 13–15, about 200 Israeli aircraft followed, striking 100+ targets including radar and missile installations, while drones marked and neutralized mobile launchers.

This marks a new hybrid model of modern war, blending intelligence, sabotage, drone strikes, and conventional air power in real time.

Electronic & Cyber Warfare

Both sides employ EW systems to block GPS, jam UAV control links, and blind radars. Israel uses AI-assisted C2 systems to coordinate jets, interceptors, and drones. Iran, in turn, is increasing the autonomy of drone swarms and incorporating SIGINT assets to counterbalance Israel’s technological edge.

Strategic Implications for Air Forces & Defence Planners

• Unmanned systems: Drones inflict attrition while protecting pilots and enabling economic attacks—changing future force postures.
• Multi-layered defence: Nations must integrate UAV defence, ECM resistance, and redundant networks into air defence.
• Covert UAV deployment: Mossad’s cross-border drone base shows future conflicts may involve internal sabotage with minimal visibility.
• Civil aviation resilience: Airlines may need real-time airspace threat maps, GNSS resiliency, and dynamic re-routing.

Conclusion

The current Iran–Israel conflict emphasizes the rise of unmanned, asymmetric aerial warfare. UAVs—from low-cost loitering munitions to long-range MALE UCAVs—have become game-changers, while covert drone operations are redefining campaign initiation. Air defence now merges kinetic interceptors, stealth airstrikes, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems into layered architectures. For aviation professionals and policymakers, these developments signal a decisive shift in strategic air excellence.

References and Further Reading:

• https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-iran-conflict-news/card/israel-hits-iranian-missile-launchers-c0eTVyZPraGuboWJxMlL?
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/16/iran-israel-drone-attack-shahed-136/?
• https://drones.rusi.org/countries/iran/?
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qods_Mohajer_10?
• https://apnews.com/article/mossad-iran-israel-weapons-missiles-a504ee31c70857c8d86a0d066997e344