Israel Defense Forces Launches Dedicated Unmanned Systems and AI Branch

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the creation of a new “unmanned systems and artificial intelligence” branch. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the branch’s plans were finalized last week and that it will be inaugurated by early December. The unit will oversee robotic capabilities across air, land and maritime domains and will integrate unmanned systems with manned combat teams or conduct independent missions.

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In January 2025 the Israeli Defense Ministry established an AI and Autonomy Administration within its Directorate of Defense Research and Development. The administration brings together military technology units, researchers, defense companies and startups to coordinate research, development and force-building in AI and autonomous systems. In December 2025, Yaron Sarig, head of the administration’s AI and Autonomy PEO, described the ongoing conflict as the “first robotics war” and noted that tens of thousands of autonomous systems—ranging from drone swarms to ground robotics—had already been deployed on the battlefield.

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Lt. Gen. Zamir emphasized the rapid pace of change on the battlefield, stating that the IDF must adapt accordingly. Yaron Sarig reiterated the ministry’s view that future battlefields will feature integrated teams of soldiers and autonomous systems operating together, and he projected a significant expansion of robotic capabilities in the coming years.

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The new branch formalizes AI and autonomy as an organizational pillar of Israel’s military, moving the technology from experimental projects to a core combat function. By centralizing oversight of drones, ground robots and other unmanned platforms, the IDF aims to enhance operational tempo, reduce exposure of personnel to direct fire, and maintain technological parity in a region where adversaries are also advancing autonomous capabilities. The claim of “tens of thousands” of deployed systems underscores the scale of Israel’s current reliance on robotics and suggests that the forthcoming branch will manage a substantial and growing inventory.

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• “The battlefield is changing at a dizzying pace, and we are changing with it,” — Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir

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