The IDF has become one of the first militaries in the world to deploy weaponized ground robots in live combat.
By Hezy Laing
The IDF has become one of the first militaries in the world to deploy weaponized ground robots in live combat, marking a historic shift in modern warfare.
The centerpiece of this development is the ROBUST Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle, an unmanned platform equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon, missile launchers, and advanced electro‑optical sensors.
In recent operations in Gaza City, the ROBUST was used to destroy terrorist infrastructure, neutralize tunnel entrances, and directly engage Hamas fighters.
According to IDF reports, robotic units were involved in clearing more than 300 tunnel shafts and eliminating dozens of fortified positions.
These missions demonstrated not only the vehicle’s firepower but also its ability to operate in dense urban terrain where ambushes and improvised explosive devices pose constant threats to manned forces.
The decision to allow weaponization of ground robots was not taken lightly.
For years, the IDF employed unmanned systems such as the Jaguar and Robdozer primarily for reconnaissance, logistics, or engineering tasks.
However, the intensity of fighting in Gaza, combined with the need to reduce soldier exposure in high‑risk environments, pushed the military to authorize combat roles.
By integrating autonomous navigation with remote‑controlled weapon systems, the IDF created a platform that can suppress enemy positions while keeping crews safely outside the danger zone.
Officials described the 2023–2025 Israel‑Hamas war as the world’s first “robotics war,” noting that tens of thousands of autonomous systems—including drone swarms and agile ground robots—were deployed across the battlefield.
Compared to other armies, Israel’s use of weaponized ground robots is pioneering.
The United States has tested robotic combat vehicles but has not yet fielded them in battle.
Russia deployed the Uran‑9 in Syria, but reports highlighted reliability issues, with operators losing control at ranges beyond 500 meters.
China has showcased prototypes of armed unmanned ground vehicles, though their operational deployment remains unclear.
Israel’s decision to move from testing to combat use sets it apart, demonstrating confidence in the maturity of its technology and the urgency of its operational needs.
The deployment of ROBUST and other armed ground robots signals a new era in military doctrine.
For the IDF, the ability to project lethal force through unmanned platforms reduces casualties, enhances precision, and reshapes the battlefield.
For the world, it raises profound questions about the future of warfare, where machines are no longer just tools but active combatants.
