Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly emerged as one of the most transformative digital technologies, and Israel has pioneered its use in military settings. The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) recently established a dedicated AI and Autonomy Administration under its Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D), also known as MAFAT. This new body will drive innovation in AI and autonomous systems across all military branches, aiming to maintain the current operational advantages of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Officials said the goal is to transform the military branches' combat capabilities to maintain the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operational edge in the Middle East. The office is expected to “bring together experts from IDF technological units, academia, defense industries, and startups to achieve unprecedented operational and technological breakthroughs,” the statement reads. The organizational focus on AI and autonomy comes amid the ongoing “Iron Swords” war against Hamas and Hezbollah that Israel has been waging for over a year on several fronts in parallel and which continues to claim the lives of soldiers.
Part of the Israeli campaign is based on roughly 360,000 reserve soldiers who have been drafted since Hamas launched its murderous attack on 07 October 2023, making it the largest reserve mobilization in the history of the IDF. According to the IDF, 891 soldiers have died in the war, and about 5,570 soldiers have been injured to date. Brig. General Dr. Daniel Gold, Head of DDR&D, highlighted the mission to achieve global leadership in military AI and autonomy. He stressed the importance of unifying efforts across sectors and fostering partnerships with Israel’s thriving tech industry, from established firms to innovative startups.
That is one of the reasons Israel is establishing the new office, as the government hopes to use AI technology to reduce the manpower and budget costs of armed conflict. IMOD Director General, Major General Eyal Zamir, commented, “This inauguration marks a historic milestone in military innovation. It represents our first new administration in over two decades... The capabilities we develop will enhance our operational superiority while reducing casualties, increasing operational tempo, and optimizing resource utilization.”
“Our future battlefield will see integrated teams of soldiers and autonomous systems working in concert... We remain committed to investing in ground, air, naval, intelligence, and space capabilities, providing our forces with cutting-edge technologies that amplify their effectiveness.” Zamir said.
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