The United States favors Israeli robots for several reasons, beginning with their extensive combat testing.
By Hezy Laing
Israel has become a major supplier of military robots to the USA, selling hundreds of units to the US Army and other defense units.
Israel’s emergence as a major supplier of military robots to the United States became unmistakable in 2024–2025, when the U.S. Marine Corps signed contracts worth roughly $30 million to acquire more than 200 Israeli‑made Micro Tactical Ground Robots (MTGR), manufactured by Roboteam.
The initial order included over 130 robots, with the remainder scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025.
The deal, carried out in partnership with the American defense firm Mistral Inc., reflects a growing U.S. preference for Israeli unmanned ground systems over competing platforms from Europe and Asia.
The United States favors Israeli robots for several reasons, beginning with their extensive combat testing.
Israeli systems like the MTGR have been used for years in dense urban environments, tunnel warfare, and counterterror operations—conditions that closely resemble the scenarios U.S. forces expect to face.
The MTGR, weighing just 15 kilograms (33 pounds), is designed for rapid deployment, stair climbing, and maneuvering through rubble, making it ideal for explosive ordnance disposal, reconnaissance, and special operations.
American commanders value this proven reliability, especially as the Marine Corps shifts toward lighter, more mobile units capable of operating in contested environments.
Another factor driving U.S. interest is Israel’s rapid innovation cycle.
Companies such as Roboteam specialize in compact, rugged, and highly adaptable platforms that can be upgraded quickly with new sensors, communications systems, and autonomy packages.
The MTGR’s modular design allows U.S. units to integrate American‑made payloads while benefiting from Israeli engineering.
The robots’ performance in real‑world conflicts—particularly in Gaza—has given U.S. planners confidence that the systems can withstand harsh battlefield conditions.
The partnership also benefits from strong industrial cooperation.
Final assembly of the MTGR units for the Marine Corps takes place at Mistral’s White Marsh facility in Maryland, ensuring compliance with U.S. procurement requirements and strengthening domestic supply chains.
The U.S. Air Force has previously purchased hundreds of MTGR units under a separate program valued at more than $25 million, demonstrating that demand extends beyond the Marine Corps.
Beyond Roboteam, there have been many additional U.S. acquisitions of Israeli military robotics.
The U.S. Army and Special Operations Command expanded their procurement of autonomous navigation kits and counter‑drone robotic platforms from Elbit Systems, including small unmanned ground vehicles equipped with electronic‑warfare payloads.
The Pentagon also contracted Israel Aerospace Industries for robotic perimeter‑security systems and semi‑autonomous patrol units used on U.S. bases.
These purchases, though smaller in scale than the MTGR program, reflect a broader American shift toward Israeli‑designed robotics for surveillance, force protection, and counter‑UAS missions.
Future sales appear likely.
With the Pentagon accelerating its adoption of unmanned systems across all branches, Israeli manufacturers are well positioned to supply additional robots for engineering units, infantry platoons, and special operations forces.
Roboteam’s success with the MTGR could pave the way for U.S. procurement of larger unmanned ground vehicles, autonomous logistics platforms, and next‑generation reconnaissance robots.
As the U.S. military continues to prioritize survivability and automation, Israel’s battle‑tested robotics industry is expected to remain a key partner.
