IDF's Multi-Dimensional Unit tests new capabilities in first exercise

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on 23 July the completion of the first exercise of its new Multi-Dimensional Unit, signifying a step closer towards operational readiness.

This exercise is a significant step towards making the unit operational,” the IDF said in a statement. “The unit's soldiers trained and operated new multi-branch and multi-dimensional fighting methods. All methods were developed within the unit in co-operation with different branches and units in the IDF, among them the Israeli Air Force (IAF), units in the Intelligence Directorate, units in the Cyber Defense Directorate, and various fire units.”

It said the unit used “ground-breaking” capabilities that were developed by the Israeli defence industry and would be used by the IDF’s manoeuvring units in the future. It outlined one such technique, which it said involved “attacking targets with a fighter jet which is operated by the soldiers on the battlefield in real time”.

The IDF said the exercise involved F-16 fighters from the IAF’s 109th and 117th Squadrons, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the 190th Squadron, a Heron 1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from 200th Squadron, and Hermes 450 UAVs from the Artillery Corps' Zik unit.

Released footage also showed soldiers using what appeared to be Robteam's Probot unmanned ground vehicle fitted with a machine gun, as well as a small quadcopter UAV that was able to attach itself to the exterior of a building, apparently to carry out persistent surveillance.