During Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, the Israel Defense Forces is integrating AI systems into a wide range of operational activities, including mission planning, drone detection, and improving the accuracy of civilian warning systems, according to a senior military official speaking to Israeli reporters on Monday.
In December, as part of the lessons learned from Operation Rising Lion, the first direct confrontation with Iran, the IDF established a dedicated artificial intelligence division to coordinate and guide operations in these areas. The division will combine several existing divisions and technical capabilities, including responsibilities from Shahar, Matzpen, Mamram, the AI Center of Excellence, and the Software and Information School.
During the current war, the company has provided advanced systems to the Air Force and Home Front forces, which contributed to both the success of operations in Iran and the protection of civilians, officials said.
The division also supplies defense and combat management systems used in the ongoing operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Among the systems being deployed is ‘Rom’, an AI-enabled platform that connects to sensors and radar systems to identify hostile drones. Once a drone is detected, the system alerts troops in the field in real time and sends relevant data to the Air Force. Its AI capabilities enable more accurate detection, classification, and tracking of aviation threats.
Another system applies AI to assist with mission planning and navigation for certain Air Force aircraft. Meanwhile, the platform known as “National Message” uses AI to identify missile launches, interceptor debris, and other potential threats to the home front. It can also predict where intercepted debris will end up, allowing authorities to issue more accurate public warnings if needed.
In addition to these systems, the department uses AI for advanced detection, identification, and precision analysis across its operational environment. We also work with research institutions and home front forces to model potential scenarios at both the intelligence and operational levels. AI tools are being used to support comprehensive situation assessments, integrating data from multiple sectors to provide a broader operational picture.
According to officials, these systems are already producing concrete results. In at least two cases, AI-driven alerts provided targeted warnings in real-time to specific units in the field, potentially preventing harm and saving lives.
The official added that without advanced AI systems, it would be difficult to manage the scale and complexity of current operations, including the volume of attacks, the number of defense arenas, and the level of accuracy required. Mission planning is increasingly using AI tools to coordinate hundreds of operations simultaneously, replacing tasks that previously required large teams.
At the same time, the official stressed that the IDF does not allow AI systems to make decisions autonomously, especially in life-or-death situations. Instead, systems are designed to improve accuracy, streamline processes, and support human decision-making rather than replace it.
The development of these systems does not occur in isolation. IDF works with defense companies, local startups, and major technology companies. The military’s approach is not to replicate civilian innovations, but to adapt and integrate related technologies to operational needs, the official said.
