Palmachim Israeli Air Force Base Air Force Base 30
בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר פַּלְמַחִים
Palmachim,Central District in Israel
Site information
Type	Airbase & Spaceport
Owner	Israel Defense Forces
Operator	Israeli Air Force Israel Space Agency
Location
Palmachim Airbase Shown within Israel Show map of Central Israel Palmachim Airbase Palmachim Airbase (Israel) Show map of Israel
Coordinates	31°53′52″N34°41′26″E / 31.89778°N 34.69056°E /31.89778; 34.69056
Site history
Built	End of 1960s
Airfield information
Identifiers	ICAO: LLPL
Elevation	10 metres (33 ft)AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 03R/21L 2,403 metres (7,884 ft) Asphalt 03L/21R 1,480 metres (4,856 ft) Asphalt 13/31 803 metres (2,635 ft) Asphalt

Palmachim Airbase (Hebrew:בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר פַּלְמַחִים,ICAO:LLPL^[1]) is anIsraeli Air Force (IAF) base andspaceport, which the IAF and theIsrael Space Agency (ISA) operate jointly. It is located west of the city ofYavne on theMediterranean coast, 12 km south of theGush Dan metropolitan area withTel Aviv, named after theKibbutzPalmachim a few hundred meters to the north. There are no fighter jets stationed there, but transport helicopters, UAVs and a battery ofArrow defense missiles southeast of it.

The airbase was established in the second half of the 1960s by (later commander of the IAF)Benny Peled. The area was initially used to test rockets and projectiles by the151 Squadron for missile testing, with the test items being fired towards the sea.^{[citation needed]}

• In 1975, the160 Squadron "First Cobra" was established with newAH-1 CobraTzefa attack helicopters (see photo in gallery below) atTel Nof Airbase.
• In 1979, the 160 Squadron "First Cobra (later Southern Cobra)" with its Cobra attack helicopters was relocated from Tel Nof to Palmachim.
• In 1981, the124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" withBell 212 IroquoisAnafa helicopters (see photo in gallery below) moved from Tel Nof to Palmachim also.
• In 1985, the161 Squadron "Northern Cobra" was launched as the second Cobra squadron at Palmachim, both in the northern area of the base.

Because of their location on the airbase they were then called the "Northern Cobra" and "Southern Cobra" Squadron (see map also). In 2013, both Cobra squadrons were finally decommissioned.

The124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" was founded in the 1950s atTel Nof Airbase as the first helicopter squadron in Israel and flew, among others, theSikorsky S-55 from 1956 and the slightly largerSikorsky S-58 from 1958. In 1962, the thenGerman Defense MinisterFranz Josef Strauß sold 24 modern S-58 to Israel,^[2] which were then supplemented and finally replaced byBell 205 (UH-1D/H) helicopters from the end of the 1960s, as some S-58 had been lost in theSix-Day War in 1967. However, as the single-engine Bell 205 increasingly had problems in the desert climate – and many did not survive theYom Kippur War in 1973 – they were replaced byBell 212 (UH-1N) helicopters, which had two turbines and were therefore more powerful and more durable. In 1981, the helicopter squadron moved to Palmachim with its Bell 212 machines.^[3]

• 
  ASikorsky S-55 of theIAF from the 1950s at theIsraeli Air Force Museum nearHatzerim Airbase
• 
  ASikorsky S-58 of124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" atBeersheba in 1962, based onTel Nof Airbase
• 
  ABell 212 IroquoisAnafa (2 turbines) of124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" from Palmachim Airbase in 1982
• 
  Have been based on Palmachim from 1979 until 2013:AH-1 CobraTzefa attack helicopters

• In 1994,124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" on Palmachim received its firstUH-60 Black HawkYanshuf transport helicopters. Later the squadron also received the civil version, calledS-70A, for military use.
• In 2002,123 Squadron "Desert Birds" was re-established atHatzerim Airbase with new UH-60 Black HawkYanshuf transport helicopters.
• In 2015, 123 Squadron "Desert Birds" moved from Hatzerim to Palmachim Airbase.

There are two squadrons ofUH-60 Black HawkYanshuf stationed at the base (see also under "Units"). These are used for troop transport as well as for rescue missions byUnit 669 - heliborneCombat Search and Rescue (CSAR), which is based both onTel Nof Airbase with itsCH-53D Sea StallionYasʿur there and on Palmachim with its Black Hawk.

During 2026,193 Squadron "Defenders of the West" will reopen at Palmachim. It was closed on 31 August 2025, atRamat David Airbase, and at that time flew severalEurocopter AS565 PantherAtalef maritime patrol, maritime surveillance, andSAR helicopters for theIsraeli Navy. Upon reopening, it will be equipped with eightSH-60 Seahawk, which were purchased by the IAF and Navy from theUS Navy stocks in 2015. These were extensively converted and equipped with Israeli systems.^[4][5]

Israel was an early adopter of drone development and became one of the leading nations in this field alongside the USA. The Palmachim Airbase played a special role in this. The200 Squadron "First UAV" was founded here in 1971 and initially used US drones such as theRyan FirebeeMabat and theNorthrop BQM-74 ChukarTelem. But in the course of the 1970s, Israel developed its own models such as theTadiran Mastiff, theIAI ScoutOriole and later theAAI RQ-2 Pioneer andIAI SearcherHugla, all of which were used for reconnaissance flights – especially over contested areas.^[6]

• 
  TheRyan FirebeeMabat UAV of200 Squadron "First UAV" (see tail) was in use from 1971,Hatzerim in 2006
• 
  TheNorthrop BQM-74 ChukarTelem UAV of200 Squadron "First UAV", also in use from 1971, here in 2006
• 
  Tadiran Mastiff UAV of200 Squadron "First UAV", now in theIAF Museum nearHatzerim Airbase in 2006
• 
  AnIAI ScoutOriole UAV (front), a further development of the Mastiff, at an exhibition in 2008
• 
  TheAAI RQ-2 Pioneer UAV of theUS Navy in 2005, was co-developed byIAI and used by theIAF also
• 
  AnIAI SearcherHugla UAV atTel Nof Airbase onIndependence Day of Israel in April 2007

From the mid-1990s, testing and introduction of theIAI Heron 1Shoval UAV began, shortly afterwards of theElbit Hermes 450Zik and finally from 2009 of its successorHermes 900Kochav, each by its own squadron. From this point onwards, UAVs were no longer used solely for reconnaissance flights by theIAF, but also for firing guided missiles, something which was not officially confirmed for a long time.^[7] But theUSAF was able to do it from 1995 onwards with itsMQ-1 Predator, and so did Israel not long after with its UAVs.

• 
  Based here from mid 1990s until 2023:Heron 1Shoval UAVs
• 
  Hermes 450Zik (below) andHermes 900Kochav UAVs in formation
• 
  Newly built UAV hangars at Palmachim Airbase in 2010
• 
  UAV Operator of147 Squadron "Goring Ram" at Palmachim in 2024

In January 2023, the200 Squadron "First UAV" with Heron 1 UAVs was relocated toHatzor Airbase.^[8] At the beginning of April 2024, the147 Squadron "Goring Ram" reopened at Palmachim for the fourth time, this time withHermes 900Kochav UAVs.^[7]

Israel's first operationalArrow 2 missile battery was installed southeast of the airbase in 2000 (see map).^[9][10] For target detection and tracking, it is used at theEin Shemer Airfield – together with the Arrow 2 missiles there and others at theSdot Micha Airbase – the localSuper Green Pine Radar with a range of 1000 kilometers. The Arrow 2 missile was developed in the 1990s by Israel together with theUSA to defend against larger missiles. The Arrow system is operated by theIsraeli Air Defense Command, based on Palmachim. This command is a department of theIAF or theIsraeli Air and Space Force and supplements the aircraft squadrons at the bases (see photo in the gallery).^[11][12]

• 
  A mobileArrow 2 launcher, like deployed in a battery near the base
• 
  AnArrow 2 test launch south of the base on 12 August 2020
• 
  Air Defense Command change of command ceremony at Palmachim, April 2021
• 
  Launch of anArrow 3 missile in June 2025 during theIran–Israel war

The further developedArrow 3 has also been stationed there since 2017.^[13]

Currently two squadrons ofUH-60 Black Hawk (Yanshuf) and three squadrons ofHermes 450Zik andHermes 900Kochav UAVs are stationed at the base (see also under "Units").

In July 2007, it was agreed that onceSde Dov Airport inTel Aviv was closed, its military terminal would be transferred to Palmachim.^[14]The terminal was transferred whenSde Dov Airport ceased operations in July 2019.

Since7 October 2023, the drones from Palmachim and other Israeli military bases (Tel Nof,Hatzor,Ramat David) are operational in the air over theGaza 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.^[15]

• 123 Squadron "Desert Birds" – operatingUH-60 Black HawkYanshuf^[16][17]
• 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" – operating UH-60 Black HawkYanshuf,Sikorsky S-70^[3]
• 147 Squadron "Goring Ram" – operatingHermes 900KochavUAVs^[7]
• 151 Squadron – Missile Testing Squadron
• 161 Squadron "Black Snake" – operatingHermes 450Zik UAVs^[18]
• 166 Squadron "Fire Birds" – operatingHermes 900Kochav UAVs^[19]
• Unit 669 "Flying Cats" – heliborneCombat Search and Rescue (CSAR)^[20][21][22] (also based onTel Nof Airbase)
• Unit 5101 "Kingfisher" –Shaldag Unit, IAF's special unit for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and covert reconnaissance

Unit 669 and 5101 belong to the7th Special Air Forces Wing which has its headquarters at Palmachim.

• Flight Test Center UAV Division
• UAV Operator School
• Arrow 2 Missile Battery

• 
  UH-60 Black Hawk of123 Squadron "Desert Birds" (yellow logo on tail) in May 2012
• 
  UH-60 Black Hawk of124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" (red logo on tail) in April 2023
• 
  Reopening of147 Squadron "Goring Ram" withHermes 900KochavUAVs in April 2024
• 
  The building and symbol of151 Squadron for missile testing at the spaceport
• 
  AHermes 450ZikUAV of161 Squadron "Black Snake" in May 2017
• 
  AHermes 900KochavUAV of166 Squadron "Fire Birds" in May 2021
• 
  Unit 669 trains sea rescue with aUH-60 Black HawkYanshuf in September 2008
• 
  Training ofShaldag Unit "Kingfisher" of the IAF in September 2022

Note: IAF aircraft can usually be assigned to their squadron by the symbols on the tail

TheAH-1 CobraTzefa attack helicopters of the two squadrons on Palmachim, which had existed since 1975/79 and 1985 respectively, had become old at some point and several accidents, some of them fatal, had occurred. From 1990 onwards they were also in competition with the newerAH-64 Apache, so that all Cobras were finally decommissioned in the course of 2013. In addition, the UAVs also stationed on Palmachim had become increasingly more powerful, are much cheaper to purchase and maintain and no longer endanger the lives of pilots.

• On 15 March 1998, an explosion occurred in flight on aAH-1 CobraTzefa, which caused the aircraft to crash over the sea off the coast of Israel. Both pilots were recovered dead.^[23]

• On the night of 12 March 2013, aAH-1 CobraTzefa crashed into a field near theKibbutzRevadim in central Israel. Both pilots were killed in the accident. The helicopter was returning to the Palmachim base after an exercise. It did not catch fire during the crash and so the accident site was not discovered until early in the morning. TheIAF subsequently ordered an investigation and all other AH-1 helicopters were banned from taking off until further notice.^[24] Around five weeks later, the cause of the accident was determined to be the fracture of a rear rotor blade, which indicates material fatigue.^[25]

• On the night of 10–11 September 2024, aUH-60 Black HawkYanshuf from Palmachim crashed during a rescue mission byUnit 669 nearRafah in the southernGaza Strip. Two soldiers were killed and seven others were injured, some seriously. It is currently assumed that the helicopter was not brought down by enemy fire.IAF commanderMajor GeneralTomer Bar convened a commission of inquiry.^[26]

• On 18 June 2025, Iran announced that its air defenses had shot down an IsraeliHermes 900Kochav drone during an airstrike over theIsfahan province in central Iran, and provided video evidence to support this. The IDF confirmed this, saying that the drone was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and that there were no casualties or loss of intelligence.^[27] Long-range drones of theHermes 900Kochav type are stationed only on Palmachim in two squadrons (see:units).

The launchpad south of the base is used byISA to launch theShavitspacelaunch vehicle intoretrograde orbit, acting as Israel's primary spaceport. Since the end of the 1960s theIAF uses Palmachim to test ballistic missiles, such as theJericho and later theArrow.^[8] The launchpad is situated at31°53′04″N34°40′49″E / 31.88444°N 34.68028°E /31.88444; 34.68028 (Palmachim launchpad).

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.

Recent launches include:

• 11 June 2007 -Ofeq-7 satellite^[28]
• 17 January 2008 - version of theJericho III missile^[29]
• 22 June 2010 -Ofeq-9 satellite^[30]
• 2 November 2011 - version of theJericho III missile^[31]
• 9 April 2014 -Ofeq-10 satellite^[32]
• 13 September 2016 -Ofeq-11 satellite^[33]
• 29 May 2017 - rocket propulsion system test launch^[34]
• 6 July 2020 -Ofeq-16 reconnaissance satellite
• 28 March 2023 - Ofeq-13 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) reconnaissance satellite

Type of rocket	Date of Launch	Launch Location	Payload	Mission Status
Shavit	19 September 1988	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-1	Success, experimental payload
Shavit	3 April 1990	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-2	Success, experimental payload
Shavit	15 September 1994	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq ?	Failure, unknown payload[35]
Shavit-1	5 April 1995	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-3	Success, first Israeli operational satellite in orbit
Shavit-1	22 January 1998	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-4	Failure
Shavit-1	28 May 2002	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-5	Success, second Israeli operational satellite in orbit
Shavit-1	6 September 2004	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-6	Failure
Shavit-2	11 June 2007	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-7	Success, third Israeli operational satellite in orbit
Shavit-2	22 June 2010	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-9	Success[36]
Shavit-2	9 April 2014	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-10	Success
Shavit-2	13 September 2016	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-11	Success
Shavit-2	6 July 2020	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-16	Success
Shavit-2	28 June 2023	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-13	Success
Shavit-2	2 September 2025	Palmachim Airbase	Ofeq-19	Success[37]

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".^[29] 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.^[31]

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• Palmachim Air Force Base (Israel), Jane's Information Group
• Palmachim Airbase, Airports-Worldwide.com
• Palmachim Airbase, Globalsecurity.org

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