This capability was accelerated by combat data from Gaza and Lebanon, proving that robotic wingmen can significantly reduce casualties in ambush-heavy environments.
By Hezy Laing
Hybrid tank-robot teams are armored units that operate with “robotic wingmen,” where tanks lead small UGVs that scout and engage targets first.
As of 2026 they are now an operational reality for the IDF, marking a shift from theoretical concepts to active deployment under the Hoshen plan.
Led by Brig. Gen. Oren Giber, commander of the Merkava and Armored Vehicle Directorate (MANTAK), the IDF has integrated Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) as “robotic wingmen” alongside Merkava tanks.
In this Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) doctrine, the tank acts as the command node, directing UGVs like the Jaguar or modified M113 “Iron Beast” to scout ahead, absorb anti-tank fire, and engage targets in high-risk zones before human crews are exposed.
Col. (ret.) Yaron Sarig of the AI and Autonomy Program has demonstrated scenarios where tanks operate with two robotic wingmen that launch their own micro-drones, effectively extending the tank’s sensor and weapon range while keeping the human crew in a protected “decision-making” role rather than on the front line of danger.
This capability was accelerated by combat data from Gaza and Lebanon, proving that robotic wingmen can significantly reduce casualties in ambush-heavy environments.
