Hezbollah Rocket Artillery Targets Key Israeli F-16 Base: Could it Disrupt Planned Attacks on Iran?

<p >Lebanese Hezbollah militia forces have targeted Ramat David Airbase in northern Israeli with Fadi-1 rocket artillery, in the latest of multiple strikes by the paramilitary group against Israeli Air Force facilities as hostilities between the two parties have <a href=" target="_blank">intensified</a>. Strikes were launched on the morning of October 5, with Hezbollah also striking Israeli military concentrations near the settlements of Yaroun and Kfar Giladi. The base hosts Israel’s three frontline squadrons of <a href=" >F-16C/D fourth generation fighters</a>, namely Squadron 101 "First Fighter,” Squadron 105 "Scorpion,” and Squadron 109 “The Valley,” which deploy over one third of Israel’s active F-16s outside specialised training units. The F-16’s low operational costs and maintenance requirements make it an ideal fighter for strikes on targets in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, with the fighter being the main workhorse of the Israeli Air Force. Israel notably fields no modern F-16 variants with phased array radars and other key post-2000s technologies, although the limitations of the air defences of its primary targets means the fighters are nevertheless considered sufficient for the large majority of missions. The F-16’s very short range is also still sufficient for strikes on targets in these neighbouring countries and territories, with the much larger F-15s relied on for longer ranged missions such as <a href=" target="_blank">strikes against Yemen</a>.</p><p ><img src=" title="Rockets From Fadi-1 Artillery System"></p><p >Hezbollah in July published footage from a <a href=" >drone overflight </a>using the Hudhud  surveillance platform confirming that its aircraft operated freely over northern Israel, with high resolution videos of Ramat David Airbase captured. The paramilitary group in the final week of September <a href=" >launched</a> rocket artillery strikes against the airbase, against nearby Megiddo Military Airport, and targeting other key facilities, which represented a response to a major escalation of Israeli bombardment of Lebanon. Ramat David Airbase was subsequently targeted as part of a massive <a href=" target="_blank">Iranian ballistic missile strike</a> on October 1, which represented a long awaited retaliatory attack after an <a href=" >Israeli strike on Tehran</a> on July 31, with Iranian missiles also targeting Nevatim Airbase which hosts all the country’s F-35s, and Hatzerim Airbase which hosts F-15s. The targeting of Israeli air bases has gained renewed importance as Israel and a number of Western states are thought to be considering launching air strikes on Iran, including against oil infrastructure and potentially the country’s nuclear facilities. Analysts have posited that a major strike on Iran is considered vital to Israeli and Western interests to serve as a deterrent to other potential challengers to their power in the region.</p>