Forward progress: 70 years of the Israel Defense Forces IDF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
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n 18th April 2018, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) celebrated its 70th anniversary – a period of time in which it has been involved in multiple campaigns and wars to secure the State of Israel and its borders. However, the IDF also celebrates 12 years of stability along its northern border following the Second Lebanon War of 2006 with senior commanders describing how lessons learned arising from this particular conflict continue to shape the IDF’s ability to counter emerging challenges to the peace today. This includes the introduction of capabilities to deter the tactical, operational and strategic movements of Hizbollah force elements across the Lebanese border, as well as other state and non-state adversaries threatening Israel’s borders elsewhere. Examples include concepts of operation, tactics, techniques and procedures to counter the proliferation of urban and subterranean warfare as well as rocket and ballistic missile threats across the region. Acknowledging how the IDF has suffered only four operational fatalities since the Second Lebanon War, senior service officials today describe a relatively peaceful operating picture providing commanders with the opportunity to consider the current state of the IDF and how best to increase its operational
effectiveness in a future set to be dominated by a series of rapidly evolving threats. However, the contemporary operating environment remains a busy one, according to senior IDF sources. Emphasis includes the focus on countering a resurgent Hizbollah to the North, which continues to build up rocket and weapons caches across Beirut and South Lebanon, many of which retain the capability to strike between 80 and 90 per cent of Israel. Sources explained how Hizbollah continues to rely increasingly on urban areas to disguise its own movements amongst the civilian population while also presenting “significant challenges” for the combat forces of the IDF seeking to minimise any collateral damage. Meanwhile, a similar situation is being witnessed in Gaza where Hamas has focused “industrial efforts” in the construction of “hundreds of kilometres” of subterranean tunnel networks used for ingress and egress into and out of Israel. Finally, IDF officials also warn of the “strategic effects” of Iranian force elements in the region, including the Quds Force which continues efforts to create a land bridge from its western border through to Lebanon. Increasing levels of Iranian interference in Israel were witnessed on 10th February 2018 when an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was reported to have Created in partnership with
Soldiers from the co-ed Caracal Battalion complete their rigorous eight months of training to receive their beret.
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The IDF continues to intercept illegal Iranian shipments into Gaza including small arms ammunition and rockets.
breached Israeli airpsace in central Galilee. Responding to this expanding array of threats, the IDF continues to strive to maintain the “qualitative advantage” over state and non-state adversaries who retain the capabilities to conduct a widening spectrum of warfighting threats ranging from lone wolf attacks, through to guerrilla, terrorist rocket and ballistic missile attacks. Examples include multiple efforts by the IDF across air, land and sea domains to ensure the future security of the State of Israel with particular emphasis on improvements in targeting, precision and intelligence capabilities. Examples include ongoing upgrades to multi-layered air defence solutions including Arrow 3; David’s Sling; and Iron Dome. According to service officials, Iron Dome now boasts a 90 per cent intercept success rate, providing the IDF with the flexibility to respond to rocket attacks without immediately resorting to the highest yield munitions available, service sources urged. Elsewhere, the IDF continues to enhance its operational effectiveness in the subterranean environment following criticism from the Israeli State Comptroller, published on 1st March 2017. The report highlighted how tunnels would remain a critical element in the future operating environment. But according to senior IDF officials, the organisation is now deploying a layered ISTAR solution designed to “locate, identify and target terror tunnels” in and around the Gaza Strip with sources confirming how several subterranean routes crossing into Israel were identified in the first quarter of 2018. No further details were disclosed due to operational security concerns.
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A Personnel-rich environment The past 70 years has witnessed the IDF evolve into an organisation which not only operates as an armed force but also as a public institution “showcasing” modern Israeli society. “The success of the IDF is measured by public trust which is still very high,” a senior service source explained. “We are working to keep it that way.” However, senior IDF personnel also suggest there remain “strong tensions and undercurrents” throughout Israel which are becoming increasingly reflected across the various branches of the IDF. This, they explained, particularly relates to the growing influence of women and ultra orthodox citizens within the organisation- a move which continues to be welcomed by IDF commanders. According to the IDF’s Head of Planning and Manpower Administration in the Human Resources Directorate, Brigadier General Eran Shani, the organisation remains the “People’s Army” although he describes this responsibility as one of the greatest challenges moving forward into the next decade. Of all Israeli citizens available to join the IDF through National Service Conscription, a total of 72 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women are recruited into the ranks. With Israel’s birth rate expected to rise over the next 10 years, Brig Gen Shani explained how recruiting figures would increase, thereby allowing the IDF to maintain its current level of 100 per cent manning. However, he warned it would be critical for the preservation of the force to better manage personnel and identify optimal positions available for recruits
IDF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
in order to maximise their skill sets and minimise dissatisfaction during national service. “The next challenge is the change in the character of the young people. We need to adjust their will and wishes in order to train to face new challenges.” he explained while referring to cyber warfare and data science in particular. “We need more smart and trained youngsters and soldiers who studied information technology at school”. To achieve this, the IDF is considering moves to assess emotional intelligence, challenge and stress management of recruits beyond more traditional measurement of intelligence quotient (IQ), physical condition and personality. Meanwhile, in November 2017 the IDF finally began to interview women recruits for the first time to assess their suitability for service across the various force components of the IDF. Historically, it has only been men who have been interviewed. By the end of 2018, a total of 30,000 women will have been interviewed for service in the IDF with more than 2,700 entering combat roles compared to just 500 in 2007, Brig Gen Shani illustrated. The IDF is currently conducting a pilot test for female crews in main battle tanks with findings expected to be published during the second quarter of 2018. However, he explained how 10 per cent of roles within the IDF, particularly across the
special operations and dismounted close combat communities, would remain closed to women indefinitely. Elsewhere, the IDF is also witnessing increasing levels of recruitment from the ultra orthodox branches of society in Israel with Brig Gen Shani proclaiming: “This is a great thing and we are working hard to encourage them to join. We want to remain the model of the ‘People’s Army’”.
new-GenerAtion wArfAre The ability to exploit a wider pool of talent from across Israeli society has led to significant uplift in specialist capabilities of the IDF in areas including Cyber Warfare, Data Science and Electronic Warfare. Examples include the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF’s) Ofek unit which specialises in the development of software to support combat forces, with Commanding Officer, Colonel Dror describing how the unit relies heavily upon 18 year old conscripts as well as university graduates joining the unit after three years of subsidised academic study. Echoing Brig Gen Shani’s call for even greater levels of societal integration across the IDF, Ofek started to “discreetly” accept ultra orthodox men and women into the unit as civilians in 2017 with Col Dror describing the process as “hard but very important”.
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Female soldiers continue to be integrated into all arms of the IDF with the exception of special operations forces and dismounted close combat units.
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This mix of talent, according to Col Dror, allows the unit to successfully design ‘applications’ to support planning, command and control, air system control, ballistic control and avionic systems of air force units. “The air force’s challenges are changing every week,” he urged while highlighting February’s Iranian UAV incursion into Israel which resulted in the downing of an IAF F-16 aircraft. “We have to be agile and adaptable to retain the correct personnel in the unit. This is a challenge for commanders,” Col Dror stressed. “It’s not enough to have the best aircraft and pilots. We need systems to undertake accurate missions and minimise collateral damage during conflict,” he explained while reiterating demand for increased levels in precision. “We have to be very accurate and we cannot allow ourselves to make mistakes because the costs can be so high. So we need to allow the air force to operate in very problematic areas to conduct very problematic missions.” However, Col Dror also explained emerging levels of cyber threats to the IAF’s information technology (IT) footprint: “We face a lot of threats and we have to defend ourselves with very complicated cyber technologies. IT is very important and we must rely on it but on the other hand, it can be something that the enemy can attack so we have to defend ourselves.” Such a requirement has also witnessed the establishment of multiple Cyber Warfare teams within Ofek, each comprising ‘dozens’ of personnel tasked with both offensive and defensive operations. In the future, Col Dror proclaimed his desire to see these teams expand even further as Ofek considers both the development and protection of software in support of the air force. The main challenge for Ofek, however, remains the maintenance of relevance across a rapidly evolving operating environment, Col Dror warned. “My challenge is to be relevant on both the technological side but also the operational side, by reacting to what the enemy has done or is doing. In the past, the military was the pace-setter for technology. Today, this is very different because of
commercial off the shelf technology,” he concluded while describing Ofek’s main efforts which include precision fires and the ability to navigate and operate in GPS-denied environments. Similar efforts are being undertaken by the Israeli Directorate of Intelligence’s (IDI’s) 3060 or ‘Purple Unit’ which is tasked to improve the combat effectiveness of the IDF through Data Science and IT to support intelligence operations and situation awareness. According to a senior military official, Unit 3060 closely cooperates with the ground forces, air force and navy to provide “operative intelligence” to support tactical decision making processes across the battlespace with the fusion of multiple data streams from the various services as well as other government agencies. With a total manpower of 400 personnel, Unit 3060 is responsible for the generation of software to support manoeuvre forces as well as targeting and fires plus border security and special operations. In September 2017, the unit participated in Exercise HaDagan across the IDF’s Northern Front, designed to “adapt the response to challenges facing the IDF”. Beyond certifying the Tzayad C2 700t system into service with the ground forces, the exercise saw Unit 3060 generating a common operating picture for participating forces to better understand enemy force components in a joint operating environment. To date, the unit has designed a ‘few dozen’ applications or ‘apps’ in response to emerging customer demands. Examples include the ‘King’s Way’ programme which has been designed to reduce the decision making process for commanders and intelligence officers in route-finding. The app, which can be updated onto a variety of end user devices, integrates mapping, image intelligence (IMINT) including three-dimensional images of buildings and blue/red force tracking to provide customers with multiple ingress/egress routes to and from target areas. According to the senior military official, the app can be exploited by small units conducting reconnaissance missions as well as fighting formations seeking covert Created in partnership with
Top The IDF’s Unit 3060 is responsible for software support to the Ground Forces, including specialist ‘apps’ to maximise operational effectiveness in urban terrain. BoTTom The Ofek Unit, which is made up of a mixture of military and civilian personnel, continues to support the Israeli Air Force with the development of specialist ‘apps’ as well as cyber warfare capabilities.
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A member of the IDF’s Ground Technological Experiment Unit remotely operates a UGV manipulator arm using Virtual Reality technology.
insertion ahead of a strike operation. Elsewhere, Unit 3060 continues to support the IDI’s Data Science Laboratory, created in January 2017 to develop computer science, deep learning and machine learning in support of the IDF. The concept is considering multiple avenues to assist in datadriven decision making processes to support forward deployed combat units, including cooperation with government agencies, Tel Aviv University as well as commercial companies including IBM and Microsoft. The move represents a step towards the establishment of a National Academy and Science Research Institute capable of supporting the IDF.
Autonomous uPGrAdes Elsewhere, unmanned technology remains a critical component of the IDF’s warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities with the IDF’s Ground Technological Experiment Unit pursuing various avenues to exploit machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in support of unmanned systems. Efforts include support of the Robotics National Laboratory which sees the IDF cooperating with the Ministry of Transport and Safety, Israel Innovation Authority and academic institutions to overcome
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problems associated with autonomy for ground vehicles. The IDF has been undertaking such efforts for two years, although Lt Col Leon Altarz, Head of the Robotics Department at the Technological and Logistics Directorate, explained how a Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed during the
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first half of 2018 to cement future cooperation. According to Altarz, AI presents the biggest hurdle to the wider proliferation of autonomous ground vehicles in both military and civilian environments. The IDF is now exploiting a hybrid mix of mobile laboratories, virtual reality and real test environments to better understand and develop associated technologies for obstacle avoidance, for example. Tests feature a Chevy 4x4 vehicle in the realworld environment, supported by Gazebo and Unity software for simulation and virtual reality training to better understand real-world reactions. The IDF explained how the software has also featured multiple additional ground platforms including the Bobcat, D9 and HMMWV. “Simulation presents us with very similar results to real-world training,” Altarz explained while highlighting how virtual reality software could be used to fix real-world problems, particularly relating to optimal routefinding. “We are building tools for the IDF to experiment with and we want to see what the civil industry can give us for our projects for future cooperation,” Altarz confirmed. The effort will feature an initial single-year pilot programme, he added. Meanwhile, the Ground Technological Experiment
Unit is also exploiting virtual reality to develop an enhanced man-machine interface for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), first and foremost in the area of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Integrated on board a Talon UGV, an HDT manipulator developed by the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has been networked to a stereo camera system and virtual reality headset via a Point Cloud. A technology demonstrator illustrates how an operator is able to manipulate the HDT from a remote location to handle unexploded ordnance for example, thereby removing any requirement for joysticks. “We are in the first stage of integration with a next step to connect a real-world point cloud to the virtual reality glasses with an evaluation expected to be conducted in 2019,” Altarz concluded.
wArfiGhtinG cAPABilities Next-generation capabilities are also being considered by the IDF Ground Forces which continue to rely upon the Infantry Weaponry Branch to respond to requirements from the field, ranging from lethality and mobility through to C4I. According to Lieutenant Colonel David Arzi, Head
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of the Infantry Weaponry Branch, the Ground Forces continue to adopt a series of capabilities in response to lessons learned from Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which saw infantry and special operations teams operating in complex and confined terrain against a semi-military enemy force. “Fighting in this terrain forced us to make changes in our weapons, tactics, techniques and procedures,” Lt Col Arzi explained while referring to the IDF’s ‘Land Ahead’ concept which is approaching requirement to get closer to enemy forces within a saturated battlefield where survivability has become even more important than in the past. Programmes include upgrades to the tracked Namer armoured personnel carrier in order to increase survivability against anti-tank munitions and rockets, allowing dismounted close combat troops to deploy from the best tactical position. “Today, we are undertaking short range engagements against increased threats in a complex environment so it’s best to deploy infantry inside the Namer in order to cope with those challenges,” Lt Col Arzi explained. Upgrades include increased armour protection; active protection systems; and the integration of a 30mm gun more suited to engaging targets in complex and built-up environments. A first infantry brigade equipped with the upgraded Namer will be
The Infantry Weaponry Branch continues to evaluate a variety of lethality and precision requirements for the Ground Forces including anti-tank munitions.
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IDF’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
operational in five years with ‘hundreds’ of vehicles deployed, IDF sources added. Meanwhile, the Ground Forces are also working up requirements for the next-generation Eitan 8x8 APC to augment the capabilities of the Namer as well as replacing M113 armoured fighting vehicles. Requirements include the integration of a 30mm gun; capacity to carry up to 12 personnel; and ability to operate with high levels of mobility across a variety of different environments. “Designed to project the force on site as soon as possible, Eitan will be one of the most protected IFVs on wheels, capable of executing the same tasks of the Namer but with added versatility and agility because it can be transported by road,” Lt Col Arzi added while describing how it would be more suited to the Ground Forces’ move towards networked fighting. The Eitan programme is awaiting final approval from the Knesset with a decision expected to be confirmed by the end of the third quarter in 2018. In terms of lethality, the Ground Forces are also in the process of receiving upgrades across their anti-tank armoury following lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War. The LAW A9 has been upgraded with the Matador, as designed by Rafael and Dynamit Nobel, following criticism of the former munition in penetrating fortified buildings. The Matador, Lt Col Arzi highlighted, comprises a 10kg weapon featuring an anti-structure munition for greater penetration. However, the Infantry Weaponry Branch is also working up plans with the manufacturers to reduce weight by 40 per cent in order to encourage greater levels of mobility for dismounted close combat troops across a battlefield. A target weight of between 6 and 7kg has been stipulated with an upgraded variant expected to be available to the armed forces within two years. Elsewhere, the IDF is also in the process of designing a second generation variant of the Spike Long Range (LR) munition, providing units with a
lighter form factor with increased lethality and range. According to Lt Col Arzi, the Spike LR MkII will also feature seeker improvements for low light operations with the first munitions due to be issued to combat teams within two years. In terms of small arms upgrades, the Infantry Weaponry Branch is also pursuing a next-generation capability to provide a fire control system (FCS) to dismounted close combat troops operating at the lowest tactical level. A total of hundreds of Smartshooter ‘Smash’ weapon sights, featuring integrated FCS, will be evaluated by the IDF on board the general issue 5.56mm x 45mm Micro Tavor carbine, as manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries. According to Lt Col Arzi, the weapon sight features an electrooptical camera which, when a target is designated, will only allow an operator to engage when there is a “high probability” of a first round hit. The optical weapon sight has been designed to increase small arms effectiveness against moving targets as well as assisting soldiers who might be underperforming due to stress in a contact situation. Lt Col Arzi claimed the Smash could improve the marksmanship of dismounted close combat troops by 400 per cent when compared with legacy sighting systems.
PArtnerinG Despite its concentration on internal security operations at home, the IDF is also extending its influence across the international armed forces community as it seeks to enhance its participation in multi-national training exercises.
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ABoVE Smartshooter’s ‘Smash’ sight continues to be evaluated by the IDF Ground Forces to increase the probability of a first round hit by dismounted soldiers engaging moving targets. BELoW Israeli Air Force pilots and multi-national partners conduct a briefing during Exercise Blue Flag in November 2017.
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Exercise Blue Flag provides the Israeli Air Force with the opportunity to train alongside multi-national partner forces to extend levels of interoperability and cooperation.
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The decision follows recent operations in the Middle East which have seen an international coalition of armed forces conducting joint operations against Daesh in northern Iraq and Syria. According to Head of International Cooperation, Lt Col Richard Hecht at the IAF, “accelerated cooperation” between the IDF and international partner nation forces (PNFs) was triggered by these operations against Daesh with Israel (as a Non NATO member) seeking to enhance “connectivity, plug and play, and common language” with its allies in the region. One example of such cooperation includes Exercise Blue Flag, conducted in Israel over the course of November 2017, which saw the IAF working alongside PNFs from France, Greece, India, Italy, Germany, Poland and US. This evolution follows a similar exercise in 2015 which saw only three PNFs participating, Lt Col Hecht highlighted, before proclaiming how the concept presented a ‘new dynamic” for the IAF. Exercise serials saw PNF air frames conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground operations as well as special operations cooperation between the Indian Air Force’s Garud Commando Force and the IAF’s Unit 669. Looking to the future, Lt Col Hecht described the IAF’s aspiration to conduct a 2019 iteration of Exercise Blue Flag with even more “influential” PNF participation from the UK’s Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force, both of which have participated in strike operations against Daesh over recent years. Additionally, this exercise will feature the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter which is also scheduled to Created in partnership with
participate with the IAF as part of Exercise Red Flag 2018 in Alaska. Elsewhere, the IAF continues to conduct joint training packages with Cyprus, Greece and the US as part of an ongoing focus to enhanced cooperation across the Mediterranean Sea. “International interests in the region are aligning with moderate players and we are looking to create new training opportunities for international cooperation in aerial diplomacy,” Lt Col Hecht stated. In May 2018, Israel also hosts the Air Force Commanders’ Conference (part of the IDF’s 70th anniversary celebrations) with more than 20 representatives from across the international community discussing cooperation; humanitarian aid/ disaster relief (HADR); and international generosity. Discussions focused on air-to-air and air-to-ground operations as well as UAV and ballistic missile defence capabilities.
conclusion Having suffered only four operational casualties since the Second Lebanon War in 2006, the IDF remains immensely proud of its ability to adapt and overcome challenges from across the contemporary operating environment. However, as senior IDF officials conceded, the “bar has been set higher” in regards to maintaining tactical, operational and strategic overmatch over state and non-state adversaries. This, they admit, will require a mix of conventional and non-conventional nextgeneration solutions as the IDF moves forward into an unknown future operating environment.