The Israeli Defense Force fields a growing array of unmanned platforms, many of which have been adapted repeatedly during the past three years of war-from Gaza, Lebanon and, according to some reports, even far from Israel’s borders.
From robotic bulldozers to hybrid drone‑rovers, the IDF is rapidly expanding its autonomous ground fleet.
Three years into its longest and most complex war, the IDF is accelerating the deployment of unmanned ground robots across multiple fronts as battlefield threats intensify. As troops encounter more areas saturated with improvised explosive devices and explosive drones, units are requesting faster, more autonomous platforms capable of operating in dense urban terrain, under fire.
Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post visited an IDF base in the center of the country that works with civilian defense companies and MAFAT – the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development-to design, test, and deliver platforms at unprecedented speed.
“Some work fine in a civilian environment but don’t work on the battlefield,” Maj. A said, explaining that while some defense-tech companies have been able to prove themselves, others have not been able to make the switch from fully civilian to a dual-use or defense platform.
Occasionally, units arrive with their own ideas. “One unit came to us with a problem and a solution. It doesn’t happen a lot,” he said. “They told us, ‘I know it works, now just integrate it.’”
The team also works to reduce the complexity of platforms, making them more intuitive for troops and reservists.
“We have soldiers who are 18 – they know robots,” he said. “They grew up with them, so when they meet these robots for the first time they know how to use them. Many reservists can learn how to use them too. AI and autonomy help them in complicated and complex situations to successfully carry out the mission.”
The IDF’s expanding robotic fleet
The IDF fields a growing array of unmanned platforms, many of which have been adapted repeatedly during the past three years of war-from Gaza, Lebanon and, according to some reports, even far from Israel’s borders.
The D9 Panda, a fully robotic and autonomous bulldozer, has been operational since 2022 and heavily used throughout the past three years of fighting. Defense & Tech understands that it was recently modified to allow operators to control it from tens of kilometers away, instead of the previous 3-5 km.
The Iron Beast- a modified M113 armored personnel carrier- has become one of the most requested platforms.
Fitted with “new accessories,” these Iron Beasts can be remotely operated by troops, and according to some reports, the IDF even used the platforms as explosive devices to destroy threats in Gaza.
Also is the Ronnie RT‑20 (MTGR), a small robot used for observation and explosive‑ordnance disposal, has been deployed widely, though several have been destroyed by hostile fire.
The IDF has also been using the “Rooster” robotic drone during the war in Gaza. Developed by the defense-tech company Robotican, it’s reportedly used by commando units and special forces for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and tactical combat.
According to the company, Rooster is a robotic hybrid drone with a “combination of ground robot and airborne drone capabilities” that can transition between flying in the air and rolling on the ground. The platform has up to 15 minutes of flying time, 40 minutes of rolling time, and an average working time of up to 90 minutes.
