An analysis published by The Zioneer argues that the proliferation of drones on the modern battlefield is making open ground untenable, driving a shift toward subterranean operations. The analysis questions why Israel is destroying ready-made underground military infrastructure instead of utilizing it for its own defense.
The analysis, drawing on the Russia-Ukraine war as a case study, outlines how the airspace over modern battlefields has become saturated with drones, making any movement on open ground highly detectable and vulnerable to precision strikes. As a result, both sides in the conflict are increasingly relying on deep underground facilities—bunkers, tunnels, command centers—to maintain operational security and logistics.
The piece argues that while drones are often considered the dominant weapon of the current era, the more significant shift may be the systemic response: the movement of forces underground. It notes that even electronic warfare countermeasures are being circumvented by fiber-optic drones resistant to jamming.
The analysis then turns to Israel, questioning why the IDF destroys prepared underground systems in enemy territory rather than preserving them for potential Israeli use. The author suggests that subterranean infrastructure could serve as a critical force multiplier for Israel's own operations, given the increasing transparency of the air domain. The piece does not cite specific incidents but frames the issue as a strategic oversight.
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