Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: From drones to warnings: IDF expands use of AI in active combat against Iran in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
During Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, the IDF has been integrating AI systems into a range of operational activities, including mission planning, drone detection, and improving the accuracy of civilian alert systems, according to a senior military official who spoke to Israeli reporters on Monday.
In December, as part of lessons learned from Operation Rising Lion, the first direct confrontation with Iran, the IDF established a dedicated artificial intelligence division to coordinate and guide its activities in these areas. The division consolidates several existing units and technological capabilities, including the responsibilities from Shahar, Matzpen, Mamram, the AI Center of Excellence, and the Software and Information School.
During the current war, it has been providing advanced systems to the Air Force and Home Front Command, which the official said have contributed both to operational successes in Iran and to protecting civilians.
The division also supplies defense and combat management systems used in ongoing operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Among the systems deployed is “Rom,” an AI-enabled platform that connects to sensors and radar systems to identify hostile drones. Once a drone is detected, the system provides real-time alerts to forces in the field and transmits relevant data to the Air Force. Its AI capabilities enable more accurate detection, classification, and tracking of aerial threats.
Another system applies AI to assist in mission planning and navigation for certain Air Force aircraft. Meanwhile, a platform known as “National Message” uses AI to identify missile launches, interception debris, and other potential threats to the home front. It can also predict where interception fragments may land, allowing authorities to issue more precise public warnings when necessary.
Beyond these systems, the division uses AI for advanced detection, identification, and precision analysis across operational environments. It is also working with research bodies and the Home Front Command to model potential scenarios at both the intelligence and operational levels. AI tools are being used to support comprehensive situational assessments, integrating data from multiple sectors to provide a broader operational picture.
According to the official, these systems have already yielded tangible results. In at least two cases, AI-driven alerts provided real-time, highly targeted warnings to specific units in the field, preventing damage and potentially saving lives.
The official added that without advanced AI systems, it would be difficult to manage the scale and complexity of current operations, including the volume of attacks, the number of defensive arenas, and the required level of precision. In mission planning, AI tools are increasingly used to coordinate hundreds of operations simultaneously, replacing tasks that would previously have required large teams.
At the same time, the official stressed that the IDF does not allow AI systems to make autonomous decisions, particularly in life-and-death situations. Instead, the systems are designed to improve accuracy, streamline processes, and support human decision-making rather than replace it.
The development of these systems is not conducted in isolation. The IDF works in collaboration with defense companies, local startups, and major technology firms. According to the official, the military’s approach is not to replicate civilian innovation, but to adapt and integrate relevant technologies into its operational needs.