Identifying the Drones Used in Hezbollah Attacks

On April 17, Hezbollah launched a drone attack targeting a northern border town in Israel. These drones bear a striking resemblance to the Iranian-made Ababil-2, suggesting a potential link in their design and manufacture. The Ababil-2 is known for its capabilities in both surveillance and combat, indicating that the drones used in this attack could have been equipped with similar functionalities.

Still images of the drones used by Hezbollah for their strikes. (Source: Telegram)

The poster displays the technical characteristics of the drone. (Source: Islamic World News)

According to the specifications listed on the poster:

• The drone has a maximum speed of 370 km/h and a cruise speed of 250 km/h.
• It is powered by either a W3 or MD series piston engine, which provides 20-30 horsepower.
• The combat range of the drone is approximately 120 km.

This drone is produced in Iran, but in 2022, a factory was set up in Tajikistan, aimed at boosting military cooperation between the two nations. Officially, it was stated by Iran that the drone is equipped only with a surveillance module and does not have strike capabilities. However, other sources maintain that the Ababil-2 remains a military drone capable of performing combat operations. The Tajik media outlet “Bomdod” quoted the head of the National Security Committee of Tajikistan, who stated that controlling some of the mountainous regions bordering Afghanistan would be impossible without drones. Despite this, there have been no reported instances of Tajikistan using the drone in its armed conflicts.

Ababil-2 at Iran Army Day Parade in 2023. (Source: Mehr News)

Still image from a video posted in one of the Telegram channels affiliated with Hezbollah. (Source: Telegram)

The provision of drones by Iran to its allies indicates that the country continues to supply military technology to its partners in the region. This support includes the distribution of drones to groups such as Hezbollah and various militias in Iraq and Yemen, which are equipped for both surveillance and combat operations.