Israel Creates Military Branch for AI, Drones, and Robotics

The Israel Defense Forces are establishing a dedicated military branch focused exclusively on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, marking what officials describe as a historic reorganization of the country's defense structure.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF's Chief of Staff, announced the creation of the Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence Branch during a naval officers' graduation ceremony on Wednesday. The new branch is expected to be fully operational by early December.

"The battlefield is changing at a dizzying pace, and we are changing with it," Zamir said. "We understand that the future includes unmanned systems, robotics, drones, and the extensive use of artificial intelligence."

Why it matters

This organizational shift reflects how modern militaries are adapting command structures to accommodate AI-driven warfare, not just acquiring new technologies. By creating a dedicated branch rather than distributing autonomous capabilities across existing services, Israel is betting that centralized coordination of unmanned systems will prove decisive in future conflicts. The move also signals how lessons from recent combat—including the October 7 attack and subsequent operations—are reshaping military priorities beyond traditional force structures.

Consolidating autonomous capabilities

The new branch will integrate unmanned technologies across land, air, and maritime domains. According to Zamir, these systems will operate alongside human teams or conduct independent missions, with the dual goals of increasing battlefield activity and reducing casualties.

"The capabilities provided by unmanned systems will operate alongside manned teams or carry out independent missions," Zamir explained. "They will increase operational activity on the battlefield and save lives. This is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and the IDF intends to be a global leader in it."

Zamir has served as Chief of Staff since March 2025. Before that appointment, he was Director General at Israel's Ministry of Defense, where he managed procurement and supply chains following the October 7 attack.

Industry alignment and economic context

The military reorganization coincides with significant activity in Israel's defense technology sector. Elbit Systems unveiled a system called "Fuse" on Wednesday, described as an AI-driven platform for coordinating large numbers of autonomous aerial and ground systems in real time.

Israel's Ministry of Finance reported Monday that the country ranks third globally in AI commercialization, sixth in development, and seventh in research among 83 countries evaluated. The ministry noted that Israel's high-tech sector saw a 53.6 percent increase in capital raised during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

Evolution from earlier modernization efforts

The establishment of this branch builds on modernization initiatives launched under former Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, who championed digitization and new technologies during his tenure ending in January 2023. That period saw the introduction of systems including the C-Dome aerial defense system and the Skylark 3 UAV.

However, the October 7 attack prompted reassessment of some high-tech priorities, with critics questioning whether ground forces had become insufficiently prepared for conventional threats. The current focus on AI and unmanned systems represents an attempt to balance technological advancement with operational readiness.

Yaakov Katz, author of The Weapon Wizards and a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, told Breaking Defense that the decision "reflects a growing understanding within the IDF that robotics, autonomous vehicles and AI-powered systems are changing modern warfare and even determine the outcome of a battle."

These details were first reported by Breaking Defense.