Israel Imposes New Transponder Rules After UAV Incursion

Hezbollah UAV Mohajer 4

Israel is to introduce new regulations to make the use of a transponder mandatory for operators of ultralights and other general aviation aircraft, following a 6 October airspace incursion involving an unmanned air vehicle believed to have been flown from Lebanon.

New rules will demand the use of a transponder on every aerial platform that flies in Israeli airspace, and for operators to be able to maintain constant radio contact with the Israeli air force's control centres, which create a complete picture of traffic movements. Other regulations are already in place for hang gliders in areas near the nation's borders.

Israeli air force combat aircraft intercepted the unidentified UAV before it was shot down by a short-range air-to-air missile fired by a Lockheed Martin F-16I fighter. It was the third such incident since 2004.