JERUSALEM, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons into the country using a drone.

The military said in a statement that troops brought down the drone overnight after it was detected by the air force crossing from the west into Israeli territory, carrying 20 M-16 rifles, a barrel and a stock for additional weapons.

"The weapons detected were transferred to the security forces for further processing," the military added.

Israeli security officials have voiced growing concern over what they describe as a surge in weapons smuggling into the country using drones from the borders with Jordan and Egypt. Shin Bet domestic security agency chief David Zini called it an "ongoing catastrophe" and a "strategic threat to Israel" earlier this month.

Citing a senior security official last week, state-owned Kan TV reported "tens of thousands" of drone incursions into Israeli territory so far this year, where drones were used to smuggle thousands of weapons, including firearms and explosive devices, as well as drugs and other illicit goods. Some drones are capable of carrying loads of dozens of kilograms, and in some cases more than 100 kg, the report said. ■