Space has become the most important battlefield in regional wars due to the increasing role of UAVs
Space has become the most important battlefield in regional wars due to the increasing role of UAVs
Dr. Liran Antebi, a senior research fellow at the Yuval Ne'eman Workshop for Science, Technology, and Security at Tel Aviv University, shared these insights in a podcast interview about global drone warfare.
The growing dependence of Israel, and indeed the entire world, on space has intensified in recent years to such an extent that space is now a significant battlefield in regional conflicts, such as Israel's ongoing threats and the Russia-Ukraine war, claimed Dr. Liran Antebi, a senior research fellow at the Yuval Ne'eman Workshop for Science, Technology, and Security at Tel Aviv University. She shared these insights in a podcast interview about UAV wars worldwide, as part of Calcalist's 2025 Forecasts Conference in collaboration with Bank Hapoalim and The Phoenix Group.
Dr. Antebi pointed to navigation systems like GPS, satellite communications, and weather forecasting as just a fraction of humanity's growing reliance on space. She explained that countries investing in military space capabilities—such as spy satellites, anti-satellite weapons, and satellite-disabling systems—will dominate this field. When combined with advancements in artificial intelligence, these technologies will enable the development of sophisticated autonomous weapon systems. Such innovations could reshape warfare, with control over space becoming a decisive factor in global events, economies, and political dynamics.
"Drones are no longer just hobbyists’ gadgets," said Dr. Antebi. "They have become pivotal weapons on the battlefield, with many nations allocating billions of dollars for their advancement. Iran, for instance, has emerged as a key player in the drone industry, supplying advanced UAVs to Hezbollah and other groups across the Middle East."
Antebi highlighted a variety of UAVs, ranging from small drones capable of carrying explosives to infiltrate buildings to larger, missile-equipped UAVs that can strike distant targets. "What’s most concerning," she noted, "is how easily these UAVs can be manufactured and deployed. For just a few thousand dollars, one can obtain an advanced drone and use it for attacks."
Israel, she added, remains at the forefront of counter-UAV operations. "Israel has developed cutting-edge defense systems to combat UAV threats, but the threat continues to evolve rapidly," Antebi remarked. "This demands innovative solutions, such as lasers capable of downing drones from long distances."
One of the most significant developments influencing UAVs is artificial intelligence. "AI enables UAVs to make autonomous decisions and handle complex battlefield scenarios," she said. "This opens up exciting possibilities but also raises serious ethical and legal challenges."
Antebi elaborated on the dilemmas posed by AI-driven warfare. "Who is accountable if an autonomous drone unintentionally harms civilians? Who will make the tough decisions during combat?" she asked.
Despite the risks, UAVs also present numerous opportunities. They can perform critical functions such as search and rescue operations, border surveillance, and delivering supplies to remote locations. "The future lies in collaboration between humans and machines," Antebi emphasized. "Humans will define the objectives, and machines will execute the tasks."
She concluded by underscoring how future conflicts will differ from traditional warfare. "Wars will be faster, fought over greater distances, and involve more dispersed threats. We must adapt to a new reality where technology plays a central role."
