An Iranian ballistic missile struck with precision a drone manufacturing plant belonging to AeroSol in Petah Tikva, a city in central Israel east of Tel Aviv. The strike caused “significant damage” to the facility, the company confirmed. AeroSol designs, manufactures, and operates tactical drones for Israeli military and government clients.

This is no small company. AeroSol produces a family of four tactical drone platforms for reconnaissance, intelligence, and surveillance missions. It also manufactures composite components for major Israeli defense programs, including parts used in F-15 and F-16 fighter jet pilot helmets. The plant is described as “a significant node in Israel’s military drone production network.”

This attack follows Iran’s strikes on Rafael arms factories and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on March 16. Iran stated that Rafael’s manufacturing center “develops air defense systems such as Iron Dome, Spike missiles and cyber technologies.” Iran is escalating: no longer just hitting military bases, but the industrial backbone that sustains Israel’s war machine.