Man or Unmanned? How Israel’s airforce will divide tasks among its fleet of jets & UAVs

This integrated approach allows the IAF to maintain “complete control of the airspace.”

By Hezy Laing

In a potential or actualized large-scale strike on Iranian strategic assets, the Israel Air Force (IAF) utilizes a sophisticated division of labor between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned fighter jets to overcome the 1,500-kilometer distance and dense air defenses.

The Role of UAVs: Persistence and Precision

During high-stakes operations, such as the “12-Day War” in June 2025, UAVs accounted for approximately 70% of total flight hours. Strategic drones like the Heron TP (“Eitan”), with its 26-meter wingspan, and the Hermes 900 (“Kochav”) serve as “lethal hunting machines.”

Target Identification: The Hermes 900 has been credited with locating dozens of concealed Iranian ballistic missile launchers and mobile air defense systems.

Suppression of Air Defenses (SEAD): UAVs are deployed into high-risk zones to strike radar installations and truck-mounted anti-aircraft systems, clearing the path for manned jets.

Post-Strike Assessment: Following initial bombings, drones re-strike targets to prevent reinforcement or repairs, a tactic Danny Gold (head of DDR&D) described as “bringing Gaza to Iran”.

Manned Jets: Heavy Firepower and Command

While drones provide persistence, manned aircraft from squadrons like the 119 “Bat” and 201 “The One” deliver the primary destructive weight.

Heavy Munitions: More than 200 fighter jets—including F-35 “Adir,” F-15I “Ra’am,” and F-16I “Sufa”—have been used to drop more than 330 munitions on nearly 100 targets in a single operation.

Tactical Flexibility: Pilots like Lt. Col. “Y.” (commander of 119 Squadron) lead waves of strikes targeting nuclear centrifuge production sites and hardened missile factories that require the heavy penetration capabilities of manned platforms.

Air-to-Air Combat: Manned jets maintain air superiority, successfully destroying Iranian F-14 Tomcats on the ground and intercepting retaliatory drone swarms in mid-air.

This integrated approach allows the IAF to maintain “complete control of the airspace,” utilizing the low cost and high endurance of drones to mitigate the risks to pilots while ensuring the most critical targets are neutralized by heavy, manned strikes.