IDF Announces New Unmanned Systems Branch and Arrival of INS Drakon
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced the creation of an unmanned systems and AI branch and the arrival of the INS Drakon submarine during a Haifa graduation.
At the graduation ceremony of the 153rd Naval Officers Course in Haifa, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced on Tuesday the establishment of a new IDF branch specializing in unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, alongside the unveiling of a multi-year plan that includes the INS Drakon submarine.
The ceremony was attended by Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel, the commander of the Navy Training Base, senior commanders, and soldiers.
The Choshen Multi-Year Plan and Naval Superiority
Addressing the audience, the Chief of Staff emphasized the strategic importance of the naval theater in upcoming military strategies.
«In the "Choshen" multi-year plan, which is set to be implemented in the coming years, we have placed a vital emphasis on the naval arena to ensure our military superiority at sea for years to come,» said the Chief of Staff.
He added that the INS Drakon is the vanguard of advanced naval capabilities, which will soon be followed by Reshef-class missile corvettes. These platforms will grant the military the ability to operate across a broader maritime expanse for extended periods with lethal firepower and enhanced operational endurance.
A Historic Organization: Unmanned Systems and AI Branch
Detailing the organizational shift, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir revealed that he finalized the creation of a brand-new military branch.
«Over the past week, I finalized on my desk the establishment of a new branch in the IDF,» the Chief of Staff stated, highlighting that this historic reorganization will form the Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence Branch, dedicated to managing rapidly evolving technological fields.
Arrival of the INS Drakon Submarine
The INS Drakon is the third and final submarine of the Dolphin AIP series acquired by the Ministry of Defense for the Navy, featuring cutting-edge technologies designed to expand operational flexibility.
«At this very moment, deep in the Mediterranean Sea, the INS Drakon—the sixth submarine of the State of Israel—is making its way to the country. In a few days, it will enter the very port where we are standing, symbolizing the profound transformation the Navy has undergone over the past year to become a formidable strategic arm capable of reaching any target in the Middle East and beyond,» said Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
The Chief of Staff concluded by affirming that robotic maritime, land, and aerial capabilities will soon become operational reality, operating alongside manned combat teams or independently to maximize battlefield effectiveness while safeguarding human lives.
