Global Interest in Israel’s Unmanned Ground Vehicles on the Rise

Arie Egozi - : Jan 2, 2025 - : 12:15 pm

Some NATO countries will be invited for demonstrations of some of the main components of what is dubbed ''Robotic task force" that have been used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the fighting in Lebanon and Gaza. The ongoing...

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The ongoing war gives the Israeli defence forces (IDF) the opportunity to evaluate the capabilities of some robotic ground systems developed by Israeli companies. Across the world, there is a growing sense that land-based forces need to begin relying heavily on unmanned combat vehicles.

Israeli companies have invested in research and development to come up with new unmanned systems, while the IDF is working on acquiring a variety of new systems, which are largely classified due to the payloads they carry. While the firms are not able to advertise exactly what payloads these systems are capable of carrying, the hope among executives is that seeing the systems in use by the IDF will lead to greater interest abroad.

The efforts to develop ground robotics systems for the IDF is shared by many of the Israeli defence companies., Some months ago, two Israeli companies, Elbit systems and Roboteam, launched a new design known as the ROOK, a multi-payload military 6X6 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). In announcing the design, the companies hyped what they call a built-in autonomous suite. That capability should allow ROOK to navigate rough terrain in order to deliver supplies, evacuate personnel as needed, and perform intelligence gathering. The companies mention the potential of on-board VTOL systems, or that of being used as a a remote weapons platform.

The new design is capable of carrying up to 1,200 kg of payload, with a ground clearance of 24cm, with power for eight hour operations and a max speed of around 30km per hour. Notably, the companies believe the control unit can be operated by one person, and that the individual can actually control a handful of ROOKS at once.

Roboteam, of which Elbit Systems holds 25%, is a good example of how Israel’s domestic focus on unmanned systems is paying off on the international market. The company has sold hundreds of systems to the IDF, the US military, as well as the British and French armies to date. Among other things, it has provided the IDF with a tiny 2.5 kg robot that travels on chains and can break into houses and underground spaces, and transfer intelligence backward. The company also produces the Rooney, a small system carried by a soldier, which can carry a cargo of several kilograms,, Rooney can also be used for patrol or be sent on suicide missions while carrying cargo.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the country’s largest defense contractor, has also invested in unmanned ground vehicles. Recently the company, unveiled its new generation of systems, known as the Rex MK 2. The company claims the system is “semi-autonomous,” with the ability to perform some operations on its own; it can also be guided by humans remotely through an electronic controller.

Officials from IAI said Rex MK 2 was built to support Israeli military ground forces in different levels of fighting. It can carry equipment and supplies, gather intelligence and open fire at nearby targets.; it also comes equipped with two machine guns and a series of cameras and sensors.

Another IAI system, the Jaguar, is seeing live action closer to home. The IDF has now confirmed that they are using the Jaguar along the Gaza border as part of an operational assessment. Should everything go well, the IDF plans to equip the system with more sensors and weapons. The IDF states that the Jaguar has a way to “neutralize” classified parts of its design should it be captured; it also can send a GPS notification if an aerial strike is required to destroy it.

An IAI senior official said that the Jaguar had the most advanced design of a robotic system. He added, that the sensor package on the Jaguar “is tailored to the user's operational needs and can include optical and radar sensors."

Since the war broke out on Oct. 7 2023, the IDF has been using some robotic systems in the war zones. The IDF is now evaluating how to jointly operate the robotic systems in combat. Currently, two remotely controlled ground systems can be seen in the fighting zones- D-9 bulldozers and old M-113 APCs that perform logistic missions.