In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force. From autonomous drones to predictive threat analysis, AI is reshaping how nations prepare for and engage in conflict.
The battlefield of the 21st century is increasingly digital, decentralized, and data-driven. And for Israel, a country with a long-standing emphasis on technological superiority and strategic innovation, AI is not just a tool, its integration of AI into military operations reflects a broader strategic vision.
AI technologies enable militaries to process vast amounts of information in real time, identify patterns invisible to human analysts, and respond to threats with unprecedented speed and precision. In the Middle East, where geopolitical tensions are high and threats are often asymmetric, these capabilities are not optional, they are essential.
Autonomous Systems and Smart Warfare
One of the most visible applications of AI in modern militaries is in autonomous systems. The IDF has deployed AI-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for reconnaissance, logistics, combat support and even offensive combat operations. These systems can navigate complex terrain, identify targets, and carry out missions far from the country’s border.
The use of AI in drone swarms, groups of autonomous drones that operate collaboratively, has been a game-changer in modern warfare. These swarms can cover large areas, adapt to changing conditions, and overwhelm enemy defenses.
And while those missions are carried out with minimal human intervention, there is always a human-in-the-loop.
On June 1st, the world saw just how advanced autonomous warfare has become when Ukraine launched Operation Spider’s Web against strategic airbases in Russia.
The operation involved 117 small, first-person view (FPV) drones that had been smuggled into Russia and launched from commercial cargo trucks near their targets. The drones damaged or destroyed 40 of Russia’s strategic cruise missile-carrying bombers including the A-50, Tu-95, and TU-22. The attack caused an overall damage of more than €6 billion.
The fact that cheap drone swarms destroyed expensive and strategic Russian bombers is impossible to ignore. Just two weeks later, Israel launched a historic operation as the opening round of “Rising Lion” against Iran.
In the weeks leading up to the operation, Mossad agents reportedly smuggled attack drones and other weapons systems into Iran. They were then assembled by operatives inside the country, who prepared the drones for synchronized deployment once the aerial campaign began. During the initial wave of attacks, the drones targeted Iranian air defense systems and missile launchers, clearing the way for Israeli fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles to operate with near-total air supremacy.
Intelligence and Surveillance: From Data to Decisions
Israel’s environment demands constant vigilance. AI enhances the country’s intelligence capabilities by automating the analysis of satellite imagery, communications and more. Machine learning algorithms can detect suspicious activity, track high-value targets, and predict potential threats based on behavioral patterns.
And while the IDF has used AI technologies and big data in prior military operations, the scale and integration of AI technologies during the Swords of Iron war and Operation Rising Lion have been unprecedented.
During operations in Gaza and along the northern borders with Lebanon and Syria, AI has been used to fuse data from multiple sources, including UAVs and UGVs, sensors, robotics, and human intelligence, into a unified operational picture. This allows commanders to make faster, more informed decisions and reduces the risk of civilian casualties by improving target discrimination.
The prolonged wars have also seen a large number of high-tech reservists serving ongoing rounds of duty. Their time on the battlefield has led them to develop innovative technology to help fellow soldiers.
Historically, military technologies have been adapted for civilian use, but today, the reverse is happening. Israel’s defense tech ecosystem, which has been undergoing a dramatic transformation, is marked by a surge in purpose-driven innovation and a clear shift toward defense-oriented solutions.
According to Avi Hasson, CEO of Start Up Nation, the amount of new companies being created this year is “on steroids,” with over 150% year-over-year growth. And what’s striking isn’t just the volume but the direction: with many reservists coming from the high-tech industry, many civilian startups are pivoting into the defense sector.
“Around 20% of reserve soldiers, many of whom come from the high-tech industry, are returning from service with a renewed sense of purpose, saying, “I don’t want to work in ad tech, I want to do something that is more driven by purpose,” Hasson said.
Ethical and Strategic Considerations
While the benefits of AI in defense are clear, they come with complex ethical and strategic questions. Autonomous weapons systems raise concerns about accountability, who is responsible when an algorithm makes a lethal decision? And who is responsible when the decision is wrong?
Sophia Goodfriend, Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Middle East Initiative and the University of Cambridge, emphasizes the urgent need for ethical oversight in the deployment of autonomous weapons systems.
One of the core concerns she highlights is the delegation of life-or-death decisions. “The decision over who, what, where, and when to kill, is a loaded one and even more so when you outsource it to machines,” she said.
Goodfriend, whose research examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on military conflict in the Middle East, explained that with a host of emerging weapons systems, the main concern is that humans continue to have oversight.
Another rising concern is the proliferation of low-cost drones, which, according to Goodfriend “have dramatically accelerated the pace and scale of military operations. Automated warfare streamlines communication loops, boosts operational efficiency, and arguably lowers the threshold at which states opt to go to war, all while reducing the parameters meant to reduce civilian casualties."
Israel has taken steps to address these concerns by maintaining human-in-the-loop providing oversight in critical decision-making processes, however, as technology evolves, so too must the frameworks that govern its use. International dialogue and cooperation will be essential to ensure that AI enhances security without compromising humanitarian principles.
And as AI blurs the lines between civilian and military domains, its potential to redefine global power dynamics and to destabilize them has become one of the most pressing questions in international security. These advancements can strengthen national defense and deter aggression, but they also introduce new vulnerabilities.
The militarization of AI also deepens the divide between technologically advanced nations and those struggling to keep pace, potentially shifting the balance of power and fueling a new arms race. As AI blurs the line between civilian and military domains, it challenges traditional concepts of deterrence, sovereignty, and international law.
Regional Implications and Strategic Balance
Israel’s leadership in AI defense technology has implications beyond its borders. In a region marked by rapid escalations that can quickly turn into deadly conflicts, technological superiority can serve as both a deterrent and a stabilizer.
Goodfriend warned that any arms race “incentivizes militaries to roll back regulations and safeguards, and we can then see the deployment of increasingly lethal and autonomous systems deployed on the battlefield in the name of having an edge over adversaries. While military superpowers like the US, Russia, and China are monopolizing the AI arms race, many non-state actors are also getting their hands on AI technology and that’s worrisome.”
“There needs to be regulations on how these systems are deployed,” she added.
Precedents for today’s automated systems can already be traced to past conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Meanwhile, the United Nations has spent more than a decade engaging in protracted negotiations among member states over legally binding resolutions on the use of autonomous systems in warfare.
“You don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Goodfriend said. “The priority should be ensuring these technologies are deployed in compliance with international human rights law and the laws of war.”
To maintain its edge, Israel must continue to innovate while fostering partnerships with allies who share its commitment to responsible AI use. Joint research initiatives with allied countries like the United States, interoperability standards, and shared ethical guidelines can help shape a future where AI strengthens collective security rather than undermines it.
AI is redefining the nature of warfare, and by integrating intelligent systems into every facet of defensive and offensive platforms, Israel is staying ahead of threats and greatly enhancing its security.