Israeli defense innovation is considered among the most advanced in the world. From prepositioned technologies – such as the beeper project, which demonstrated exceptional technological control – to the sophisticated Israeli multilayer air-defense system – including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow, which have set a global standard for air defense – Israel has repeatedly proven its ability to develop groundbreaking security solutions.
The principle is clear: Whoever controls technological innovation controls the battlefield.
The many actors in Israel’s defense ecosystem The IDF and Defense Ministry development units, established defense industries, and young start-ups drive defense innovation. While processes accelerate during wartime, and bureaucratic barriers fall, peacetime reality is entirely different: The pace of innovation implementation in the IDF is far from optimal.
The tragic example of the suicide drones that attacked Israeli civilians and military bases during Operation Swords of Iron illustrates this most clearly. Israel suffered casualties that could have been prevented. The technology to counter this threat existed, but it wasn’t matured in time and was implemented only after the losses occurred.
The structural problem: Western militaries, including the IDF, develop their capabilities through a hierarchical top-down approach.
First, they formulate a systemic concept of operation (CONOPS) at the general staff level, then they translate it into required technological capabilities. Only then do they decide what can be implemented in the field according to resources and the maturity of the technology.
IDF activity in Gaza (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)This process, despite being orderly and systematic, involves heavy bureaucracy. Considering the enormous investments required, military systems are planned for a decade or even two decades ahead.
The result? Years pass from the moment a decision is made to develop a system until it reaches the field. The large defense industries that lead the process with the military services and are responsible for the backbone of military systems and core infrastructure – communications, command, and control – are based on hundreds of persons and years of experience and engineering.
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