Israel's Digital War Machine
New IDF Secret Weapon Revealed: The AI Division That Will Fight Iran and Hezbollah
In a dramatic organizational overhaul, the IDF is establishing new Artificial Intelligence and Spectrum Divisions, integrating battlefield lessons and preparing for a potential future war against Iran and Hezbollah with advanced technological capabilities.
Lessons Learned Lead to Radical Transformation
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Teleprocessing Corps, or C4I Directorate, is undergoing a sweeping structural transformation in response to lessons learned from the recent war and the escalating demand for cutting-edge operational technology. This overhaul, led by the Head of the C4I Directorate, Major General Aviad Dagan, is poised to define the character of the next war, particularly against adversaries like Iran and the Hezbollah terror group.
The C4I Directorate identified a critical need for seamless, uninterrupted connectivity, real-time command, and absolute technological dominance across the cyber and spectrum domains. To address these requirements, the Directorate is forming two new central divisions: the Sphere Division and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division.
Major General Dagan's hands-on approach during the war was evident, with field commanders frequently seeing him join forces on various fronts to understand operational dilemmas and quickly implement unique technological solutions to locate, analyze, and neutralize terrorism. Dagan's influence extended to "Operation With the Lion," where he integrated with air crews that struck military targets deep inside Tehran, over 1,000 km from Israel.
The AI Division: Real-Time Intelligence
The newly formed Artificial Intelligence Division will be the vanguard of the IDF’s digital transformation. Its core mission is to develop platforms, systems, and information capabilities that will fundamentally alter the IDF’s operational method, ensuring all relevant information is accessible in real-time to the tactical edge of the battlefield.
A senior military source noted that the vast troves of information the IDF collected across the Middle East during the war proved that correct and efficient processing and analysis of this data can be a "game-changer" in the next war. Among the AI-driven systems already developed are real-time transcription systems for communication networks in vehicles like tanks, aircraft, and submarines, drastically improving battlefield command.
Furthermore, the Directorate developed a new platform for fast and accurate identification of the fallen, a system that successfully identified all casualties, military and civilian, in a short timeframe, compared to global benchmarks like the World Trade Center attack. The success, according to a senior C4I official, is thanks to technology: "Our success after the failure of October 7th is thanks to technology."
The Sphere Division: Spectrum Superiority
The Sphere Division, focused on Spectrum and Communications, aims to solidify Israel’s superiority in the electromagnetic spectrum and enhance strategic communication capabilities, guaranteeing the IDF freedom of action across all arenas and operational ranges.
Unique defensive spectrum capabilities have already delivered world-class achievements against attacks from Iran, the Houthis, and Hezbollah. For instance, some of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) launched by Iran during "Operation With the Lion" were neutralized using the C4I Directorate's spectrum capabilities. This defensive success has inspired the reorganization, with the intention of developing offensive capabilities in this area, including the emerging field of satellites and space.
These two new divisions will operate alongside the three existing divisions: Cyber Defense, Operations, and Chief of Staff.
Technology, Personnel, and Infrastructure
The Directorate manages 33 operational-technology professions, boasting significant diversity: half of its service members are women, and women hold 40% of senior command positions, including two Brigadier Generals. A specialized reserve unit composed of high-tech industry professionals has also been established and now operates under the AI Division.
The IDF is simultaneously completing the relocation of thousands of Directorate personnel to the new C4I Campus in Be’er Sheva, centralizing the military’s technological bodies in the south of the country.