Israel's military will formally establish an Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence Branch by Hanukkah — the eight-day festival that begins on December 4, 2026 — Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told IDF commanders. The move accelerates the country's transition to robotics-heavy warfare and reorganises how autonomous platforms are commanded across land, sea and air.
A dedicated command for autonomous warfare
The new branch will develop maritime, ground and aerial robotic technologies that operate alongside manned combat teams or independently, "enhancing battlefield activity while reducing human casualties," Zamir said. "The battlefield is changing at a dizzying pace, and we are changing with it. We understand that the future includes unmanned systems, robotics, drones and widespread use of artificial intelligence."
A five-year plan built around AI
The branch is a headline element of the IDF's 2026 five-year plan, which puts AI, autonomy and drone swarms at the centre of force design. Zamir framed the goal in explicitly competitive terms, saying Israel intends to become a "global leader" in AI-driven military technology.
Israel joins a global race
The reorganisation lands as allied militaries reshape their own doctrines. The US Air Force is fielding its Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet, the US Army is preparing joint UGV demonstrations, and directed-energy counter-drone contracts are lining up at pace.
Reporting based on coverage from Times of Israel, Breaking Defense and The Jerusalem Post.