Unit 127

Unit 127 is Hezbollah's "aerial unit" (وحدة الجوية), is the group's specialized aerial unit, responsible for the development, production, and operational deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. The unit has emerged as a central player in Hezbollah’s military strategy, particularly in its ongoing conflict with Israel.^[1][2]

History

Unit 127 began its activity around 2013, reportedly founded by Hassan al-Laqis and later expanded its capabilities in the Syrian war under Iranian Quds Force mentorship.^[1][2]

Activities & capabilities

Drone Arsenal

Unit 127 operates a variety of UAVs, most of which are Iranian-made. Notable models include the Ziad 107 “kamikaze” drone equipped with GPS-guided capabilities, alongside Iranian Shahad 101 and Mohajer models. These drones are used for attacks, intelligence gathering, and surveillance.^[1]

Tactics

The unit employs a strategy of launching swarms of rockets and missiles to overwhelm Israel’s air defenses, creating openings for drones to penetrate Israeli airspace. This tactic was notably used in a deadly attack on the Golani army base in central Israel, which killed four soldiers and injured 58 more. On October 19, 2024 the unit sent three drones were launched; two were intercepted and one struck the residence. It hit and cracked a bedroom window but could not penetrate further due to reinforced glass. Debris scattered around the pool and yard.^[2][3][4]

Production and storage

Unit 127 is responsible for importing, manufacturing, and deploying UAVs. The unit’s facilities are often embedded within civilian areas, particularly in Beirut’s southern Dahieh suburb, making them challenging targets for Israeli strikes.^[5]

Iranian support

The unit operates under the guidance and with the funding of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which oversees drone production, training, and the smuggling of equipment. Iranian influence is evident in both the technology and operational doctrine of Unit 127.^[6][7][8]

Recent developments

Israeli Strikes

In June 2025, Israel conducted its most extensive strikes against Unit 127’s infrastructure, targeting underground drone production and storage facilities in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district and in southern Lebanon. These strikes followed public evacuation warnings to residents and were coordinated with the U.S. government.^[9][10]

Casualties and Impact

The strikes destroyed several key facilities and reportedly killed multiple Hezbollah operatives. The attacks were in response to an escalation in drone attacks on Israeli territory, with Unit 127 having launched over 1,000 drones at Israeli targets since October 2023.^[11]

Leadership Losses

The overall commander of Unit 127, Muhammad Sarur, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024, representing a significant blow to the unit’s operational leadership.^[12]

See also

• Hezbollah
• Unit 121
• Unit 900
• Unit 910