The airbase was established in the second half of the 1960s by the later commander of the IAF Benny Peled and the area was initially used to test rockets and projectiles that the 151 Squadron for missile testing was firing towards the sea.
Helicopters
In 1979, the 160 Squadron "First Cobra/Northern Cobra" with AH-1 CobraTzefa attack helicopters was transferred here from Tel Nof Airbase. In 1981 the 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" with Bell 212 Iroquois helicopters moved from there to Palmachim also. In 1985, a second squadron of Cobras was launched with the 161 Squadron "Southern Cobra", all of which were located in the northern area of the base. Because of their location on the airbase they were called the Northern Cobra and Southern Cobra Squadron. In 2013, both Cobra squadrons were finally decommissioned.
UAVs
From the mid-1990s, testing and introduction of the IAI Heron 1 Shoval UAV began, shortly afterwards the Elbit Hermes 450Zik and finally from 2009 by their successor Hermes 900Kochav, each with their own squadrons. In January 2023, the 200 Squadron "First UAV" with Heron 1 UAVs was relocated to Hatzor Airbase.[2]
Arrow 2 Missiles
Israel's first operational Arrow 2 missile battery was installed southeast of the airbase in 2000 (see map).[3][4] For target detection and tracking, it is used at the Ein Shemer Airfield - together with the Arrow 2 missiles there and others at the Sdot Micha Airbase - the local Super Green Pine Radar with a range of 1000 kilometers. The Arrow 2 missile was developed in the 1990s by Israel together with the USA to defend against larger missiles. The Arrow system is operated by the Israeli Air Defense Command, based on Palmachim. This command is a department of the IAF or the Israeli Air and Space Force and supplements the aircraft squadrons at the bases (see photo in the gallery).[5][6]
Have been based here from 1979 until 2013: AH-1 CobraTzefa attack helicopters
Based here from mid 1990s until 2023: Heron 1Shoval UAVs
Newly build UAV hangars at Palmachim Airbase, 2010
A mobile Arrow 2 launcher, like deployed on the base
In July 2007, it was agreed that once Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, its military terminal would be transferred to Palmachim.[7]
The terminal was transferred when Sde Dov Airport ceased operations in July 2019.
Israel–Hamas war
Since the 7. October 2023 the drones from Palmachim and other Israeli military bases (Tel Nof, Hatzor, Ramat David) are operational in the air over the Gaza Strip around the clock, on the one hand to collect information and to carry out attacks with guided weapons. In cooperation with the ground troops, they are supported in their advance, which, according to Israeli analyzes, is a novelty in modern warfare on this scale and quality.[8]
Due to Israel's geographical location and hostile relations with neighboring countries, the rockets launch west across the Mediterranean. This avoids flying over enemy countries that could use the technology in the event of a crash and prevents parts from falling into populated areas. The satellites launched are on non-equatorial orbits and are among the few earth satellites that orbit the earth in an east-west direction. Taking off against the earth's rotation causes approximately 30% higher fuel consumption.
On 17 January 2008, Israel test fired a multi-stage ballistic missile believed to be of the Jericho III type, reportedly capable of carrying "conventional or non conventional warheads".[18] On 2 November 2011, Israel successfully test fired a missile believed to be an upgraded version of the Jericho III; the long trail of smoke was seen throughout central Israel.[20]
References
^AIP Israel(PDF). Department of Civil Aviation. 18 May 2023. p. 355. Archived from the original(PDF) on 28 May 2023.
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