Israel’s fleet of aerial firefighting planes currently lacks the specialized equipment for nighttime operations, a deficiency highlighted as both an environmental and national security vulnerability amid heightened threats from terror and arson attacks. While day-time aerial firefighting is a mainstay of Israel’s emergency response, the inability to operate after dark leaves the country exposed to blazes that can be both naturally occurring and deliberately set by Iranian-backed terror organizations.
Vulnerability in a Complex Security Environment
In recent years, Israel’s hot, dry climate has combined with evolving security risks to create a scenario in which wildfires, whether accidental or intentional, have dramatic consequences. Iranian-backed terrorist groups, notably Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have used arson as a tactic to inflict ecological, psychological, and economic damage. Since the October 7th, 2023 massacre—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—Israeli emergency services have faced an increased tempo of incendiary attacks.
Aerial firefighting, coordinated by the national fire service in cooperation with security authorities, is a critical capability. However, officials confirm that—unlike some Western nations—Israel’s aircraft lack the advanced avionics, infrared sensors, night-vision equipment, and training for nighttime missions. This limits suppression efforts to daylight hours, often allowing fires to grow between sundown and sunrise, particularly in border areas where ground crews may also face danger from unexploded ordnance or renewed attacks.
Technical and Operational Challenges
Globally, few countries have developed robust night aerial firefighting. Operations require pilots to fly at low altitude over difficult terrain in darkness, coordinating closely with ground teams and relying on advanced sensor technology to identify and target hotspots. The complexity and risk are even greater in Israel, where the threat from rocket attacks and hostile fire adds a layer of military risk to civil emergency response.
Israeli authorities have studied international best practices and entered discussions with defense contractors regarding the retrofit or acquisition of night-capable platforms. Security officials note that the adaptation of military-grade night vision technologies, already fielded by the IDF, could be leveraged in future upgrades, but that regulatory, training, and financial hurdles remain.
Arson Terror: An Evolving Threat
The limitations of the current fleet have been repeatedly exposed by arson terror tactics. During periods of escalation in Gaza, Hamas and its collaborators have launched incendiary balloons, kites, and rockets, igniting thousands of acres of farmland and nature reserves. In the north, Hezbollah’s attacks have sparked cross-border fires, adding to the pressure on emergency and military resources.
Israeli officials stress that these attacks are part of a broader Iranian-directed strategy to destabilize Israel, strain its defenses, and erode civilian morale. The pattern of coordinated arson, especially under cover of darkness, is intended to overwhelm responders and expose any capability gaps.
Calls for Investment and International Cooperation
In response, policymakers have prioritized the enhancement of Israel’s aerial firefighting fleet. Proposals in the Knesset and coordination with the Ministry of Defense seek to establish a phased upgrade—including limited procurement of foreign night-capable aircraft, pilot programs using adapted military platforms, and deeper integration with the Israeli tech sector for sensor and avionics innovation.
International cooperation remains a theme: after the 2010 Mount Carmel disaster, Israel benefited from air support by allies including Greece and the United States, learning from their experience with continuous (including night) operations. Advancing these partnerships is seen as essential to closing the current gap.
Environmental and Economic Stakes
The stakes are high. Beyond immediate risks to life and property, wildfires devastate irreplaceable ecological reserves and agricultural resources—both central to Israel’s national security. Borders denuded by fire can expose critical military and civilian infrastructure, further incentivizing hostile actors to target them.
Looking Forward
The absence of nighttime aerial firefighting capacity is now widely recognized as a national imperative—a gap exploited by Israel’s adversaries. Security, environment, and emergency leaders are unified in advocating major investment and innovation to enable 24/7 rapid response. Until then, Israel’s ground and air responders continue to operate at the limits of their capacity, protecting lives and land in a conflict where every capability counts.
