The IDF is currently establishing a factory that will manufacture explosive suicide drones (FPV drones) for use on all of Israel’s war fronts, Army Radio reported on Tuesday morning.

The goal of the new facility is to industrialize and significantly expand the IDF’s arsenal of suicide drones, while relying on full “blue and white” (Israeli) production that will replace the current procurement, which is partly based on components from China.

Until now, the IDF purchased FPV drones from an Israeli company, some of whose products are manufactured in China, at a cost of thousands of shekels per drone. The new initiative aims to make the production process fully Israeli-made within the IDF’s Technology and Logistics Directorate.

About 200 Chareidi soldiers are expected to serve at the facility after undergoing a dedicated technological preparatory program that will train them as technicians and drone assemblers.

According to the report, the IDF views the step as a solution to both an urgent operational need and the efficient integration of Chareidim into IDF service.

According to IDF estimates, the factory will begin supplying the military with large quantities of drones within just two months of its launch— thousands per month initially, and eventually tens of thousands per month.

FPV drones are suicide drones used for offensive attacks, but they can also be used defensively, with a drone exploding against an enemy drone. The IDF is also developing that capability and has already demonstrated operational use of it on the battlefield, though officials say it is still not being deployed on a sufficient scale to protect soldiers from Hezbollah’s explosive drones.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)