Why the IDF is Re-Establishing Ariel Sharon's Legendary 38th Division
The IDF General Staff has announced the formation of a new maneuvering unit: Division 38. This marks the first time in decades that the military has established a new maneuvering division, reviving a legendary unit famously commanded by Ariel Sharon during the Six-Day War.
The IDF General Staff has announced the formation of a new maneuvering unit: Division 38. This marks the first time in decades that the military has established a new maneuvering division, reviving a legendary unit famously commanded by Ariel Sharon during the Six-Day War.
The decision comes as a direct result of lessons learned from recent intense combat and the significant operational burden placed on existing forces. Historically, the IDF has established regional divisions for border defense, but it has not created a new "maneuvering division, "designed to penetrate deep into enemy territory, since the 1970s.
The designation "38" is a deliberate nod to IDF history. The original Division 38 was a powerhouse during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and the 1967 Six-Day War. It is most famous for the masterful battle of Um-Katef under Ariel Sharon's command. Later, as the Musa Peled Division, it played a decisive role on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War.
The re-establishment of the division is a cornerstone of Tarash Hoshen (Hoshen Multi-Year Plan), the IDF’s strategic roadmap for the coming years.
The central innovation of Division 38 is the consolidation of all Ground Forces training brigades under a single, unified operational command. The division will be comprised of the following elite training schools:
By uniting these units, the IDF aims to manage the entire lifecycle of a combatant, from basic training to large-scale operational deployment. Crucially, the division will be equipped with its own organic armored vehicles (AFVs).
The IDF explains that the war proved maneuvering divisions are what truly decide the outcome of a conflict. Division 38 will serve as a multi-theater General Staff reserve, capable of deploying to any front and integrating non-organic forces as needed. While the units will primarily focus on training during routine times, the new structure ensures they can pivot to a "day of command" status with far greater speed and synchronization than before.
Brigadier General Sharon Altit, a highly experienced combat officer who currently serves as the Head of Basic Training, has been tapped to lead the new division. The division's headquarters will be located at Camp Julis.
The planning process began in July 2025, and an opening staff exercise is currently underway alongside the official founding ceremony. A full divisional exercise is planned for later this year, with the goal of reaching full operational readiness for maneuvering by 2027.