The need for the robot became urgent after repeated incidents in which soldiers were injured while cleaning tanks under combat conditions.
By Hezy Laing
The IDF recently introduced a groundbreaking mechanical robot designed to clean tanks autonomously, eliminating one of the most dangerous and physically demanding tasks faced by armored crews.
Developed jointly by the IDF’s Technological and Logistics Directorate and Israel’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT), the new system uses artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and high‑pressure mechanical tools to remove mud, dust, soot, and battlefield residue from Merkava tanks without requiring soldiers to stand beside the vehicle.
The robot, nicknamed “Shahaf‑X” by the development team, is built on a ruggedized tracked platform equipped with a 360‑degree LiDAR array, thermal cameras, and a multi‑joint mechanical arm capable of rotating 270 degrees.
The arm houses interchangeable cleaning modules, including high‑pressure water jets, rotating brushes, and chemical‑residue applicators.
According to IDF engineers, the system can clean a 65‑ton Merkava Mark IV in under 12 minutes, compared to the 30–40 minutes required by a four‑person crew.
The need for the robot became urgent after repeated incidents in which soldiers were injured while cleaning tanks under combat conditions.
Crews often had to perform maintenance in exposed areas near the Gaza border or northern front, sometimes under fire or in contaminated environments filled with dust, fuel residue, and hazardous debris.
The IDF also found that tank turnaround time suffered during intense operations, with cleaning delays slowing the return of armored vehicles to the battlefield. By automating the process, commanders hope to reduce risk, improve readiness, and free soldiers for operational tasks rather than manual maintenance.
Brig. Gen. Pini Ben‑Moyal, head of the IDF’s Technology and Maintenance Division, said the robot was designed to “protect our crews, accelerate turnaround time, and keep tanks in the fight.”
The robot’s AI module, developed with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems, allows it to map each tank’s contours, identify areas requiring deeper cleaning, and adjust pressure levels automatically.
The cost of each unit is estimated at $480,000, with maintenance costs projected at roughly $12,000 per year. The IDF plans to acquire 35 units by 2027, with full deployment across all armored divisions expected by early 2026.
