Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu's deadly plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza, unmanned bulldozers to..., experts say...
IDF has deployed unmanned bulldozers in Gaza.
Israel-Hamas war: Israel has employed various methods to weed out the Palestinian armed group Hamas over the course of the Israel-Hamas war in the embattled Gaza Strip, and now the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have deployed unmanned bulldozers in the war-torn city to prevent any casualties of its personnel. IDF using unmanned bulldozers against Hamas
According to a report by the Times of Israel (TOI), the heavy machine, nicknamed the 'Robodozer', is a driverless, robotic version of the D9 bulldozer, and can be remotely operated from a good distance. IDF's Robodozer is well-armored and hard to disable, and will prevent casualties of soldiers as it does not require a human driver to operate.
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Robodozer, which was displayed at a recent military exhibition in Alabama, United States, has been deployed in Gaza to raze Hamas bases, and is also being used by the IDF in Lebanon in a limited manner. As per defense experts, the Robodozer could change the course of the Israel-Hamas war as it is completely robotic and does not require human soldiers to enter the battlefield. How IDF is using Robodozer?
The D9 bulldozer has been a staple of the Israeli army for years, and has been used to build roads, clear debris, and raze enemy sites. But the machine required a human operator whose life came under threat in case of an attack. The Robodozer nullifies that risk as it can be operated remotely, and used to demolish suspected Hamas hideouts in the Gaza Strip.
Experts are touting this robotic heavy machine as the future of unmanned warfare, but some have raised questions about how a remotely-operated machine is more prone to commit errors than a human operator. It could mistakenly target residential buildings resulting in deaths of civilians, resulting in a human rights crisis. Robodozer 'future of warfare'
According to Andrew Fox, a Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society in London and retired Major of the British Army, IDF is the first to use remote-controlled machines and weapons on a large scale inside a warzone, and is taking a major chance on the Robodozer. But so far, there have no been no error on IDF's part, and the machine has reduced mortal dangers to Israeli soldiers.
'The use of unmanned weapons such as drones has increased in recent times, and now Israel has come up with a technology like the Robodozer, and although it has not been used directly in a war yet, it is clear that it is very unique and is the future of the battlefield,' says John Spencer of the Modern War Institute at West Point, US.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
44 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in ability to see first, farthest, most accurately": Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, on Wednesday highlighted the strategic role of surveillance and electro-optic systems in the current combat scenarios and said that the decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in the ability to see first, see farthest, and see most accurately. Drawing parallels from recent global conflicts--including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas hostilities--Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the battlefield. Speaking at the Surveillance and Electro Optics India seminar, Air Marshal Dixit said, 'When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, and to our own experiences in Operation Sindoor, one truth emerges with crystal clarity: the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails.' 'This axiom has guided military thinking for centuries, but never has it been more relevant than in our current era of precision warfare and multi-domain operations,' he added. The Air Marshal referred to Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's readiness to adapt to these evolving realities. 'This brings me to the critical importance of deep surveillance in contemporary warfare. The lessons from Operation Sindoor have reinforced what military strategists have long understood but perhaps not fully appreciated until now. Modern warfare, thanks to technology, has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability,' he said. 'It has given a new meaning to simultaneity and non-linearity. The existing principles of war are being challenged, and new ones are emerging. Earlier, the horizon marked the limit of immediate threat. Today, precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless, as strikes with BVR AAMs and supersonic AGMs have become commonplace.' Air Marshal Dixit said that the rapidly advancing domain of surveillance and electro-optics is no longer just an operational enabler but has emerged as the very foundation of contemporary military strategy. Reflecting on the significant transformation in the field, Air Marshal Dixit noted that these technologies have shifted from being supplementary force multipliers to becoming central to how nations plan, execute, and dominate in future conflicts. 'As someone who has witnessed this transformation firsthand, I can attest that we stand at the cusp of a revolution that will redefine how we perceive, process and project power in the 21st century,' he said. He said, 'When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, he traditional concepts of front, rear and flanks combat zones and depth areas all become irrelevant. What we call the front and the theatre merge into one. This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have even imagined. We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within adversary territory. This existed as a concept even earlier but today we have the means to realise it.' Adding further, he said, 'The compressed timelines of modern warfare amplify this need. When hypersonic missiles can traverse hundreds of kilometres in minutes and drone swarms can reach their targets before traditional decision-making processes can respond, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just advantageous but essential for survival.' Air Marshal Dixit said that the speed of modern weapons has fundamentally altered the OODA loop, compressing it from hours to minutes, sometimes even seconds, and this new reality is being shaped by mega satellite constellations that are revolutionising battlefield awareness. 'The fusion of Electro-Optical, SAR and SIGINT capabilities now enables a 24x7 dynamic, persistent and predictive mosaic of the battlefield. We no longer merely observe; we anticipate, predict and pre-empt,' he said. 'As we look to the future, it becomes clear that government efforts alone cannot meet the pace of technological change we face. This is where our private sector emerges as a critical partner in our surveillance evolution. The dynamism, innovation and agility that characterise India's technology companies are precisely what we need to maintain our edge in this rapidly evolving domain. We need our private sector to push the boundaries in several critical areas. Integration of AI with electro-optic systems has the potential to revolutionise surveillance capabilities. AI-driven imaging seekers, automated threat recognition and predictive analytics can transform passive monitoring into active. and intelligent surveillance that anticipates rather than merely observes,' he said. He added, 'The development of multispectral, all-weather surveillance systems that can operate effectively in our diverse geographical and climatic conditions is essential. From the Siachen glacier to the hot arid deserts down to the Indian Ocean, our surveillance systems must maintain effectiveness across all environments. We also need scalable and interoperable systems that can seamlessly integrate with existing military networks while remaining flexible enough to accommodate future technologies. The days of standalone, siloed systems are behind us. The future belongs to networked, collaborative platforms that multiply rather than merely add capabilities.' Speaking at the seminar on national security, Lieutenant General Vineet Gaur, DG Capability Development, underscored the critical role of advanced surveillance in contemporary warfare. 'In today's modern era, advanced surveillance is not a luxury but a necessity. We witnessed its significance during the Kargil conflict, and its relevance has only grown in today's evolving security landscape,' he said. He further emphasised the increasing importance of space-based surveillance, particularly as the Indian Air Force undergoes a transformative phase. 'We are set to launch 52 satellites in the coming year, out of which 31 will be built by private sector firms,' he revealed. These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors, and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence preparedness. Air Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh highlighted the indispensable role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare, stating that enhanced battlefield imagery and superior monitoring capabilities have become vital components of military success. 'Advanced surveillance is no longer optional--it is essential in any modern conflict,' he said. 'Clearer imagery and stronger surveillance systems provide a critical edge on the battlefield.' He further stressed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) has emerged as a key element in today's combat environment. 'ISR is central to modern-day warfare, and Remotely Operated Systems (ROS) serve as its backbone,' he explained, adding that the importance of these systems has been demonstrated in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Referring to developments in West Asia, Air Vice Marshal Singh pointed to the use of unmanned aerial attack systems in Yemen, which have drawn global attention. 'These examples show that ISR capabilities are vital for achieving dominance in today's contested airspace,' he said. (ANI)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in ability to see first, farthest, most accurately: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit , Deputy Chief of Air Staff, on Wednesday highlighted the strategic role of surveillance and electro-optic systems in the current combat scenarios and said that the decisive advantage in modern warfare lies in the ability to see first, see farthest, and see most parallels from recent global conflicts--including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war , the Russia-Ukraine conflict , and the ongoing Israel-Hamas hostilities--Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the at the Surveillance and Electro Optics India seminar, Air Marshal Dixit said, "When we look at global conflicts commencing from Armenia-Azerbaijan to Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, and to our own experiences in Operation Sindoor , one truth emerges with crystal clarity: the side that sees first, sees farthest and sees most accurately, prevails.""This axiom has guided military thinking for centuries, but never has it been more relevant than in our current era of precision warfare and multi-domain operations," he Air Marshal referred to Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India's readiness to adapt to these evolving realities."This brings me to the critical importance of deep surveillance in contemporary warfare. The lessons from Operation Sindoor have reinforced what military strategists have long understood but perhaps not fully appreciated until now. Modern warfare, thanks to technology, has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability," he said."It has given a new meaning to simultaneity and non-linearity. The existing principles of war are being challenged, and new ones are emerging. Earlier, the horizon marked the limit of immediate threat. Today, precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless, as strikes with BVR AAMs and supersonic AGMs have become commonplace."Air Marshal Dixit said that the rapidly advancing domain of surveillance and electro-optics is no longer just an operational enabler but has emerged as the very foundation of contemporary military on the significant transformation in the field, Air Marshal Dixit noted that these technologies have shifted from being supplementary force multipliers to becoming central to how nations plan, execute, and dominate in future conflicts."As someone who has witnessed this transformation firsthand, I can attest that we stand at the cusp of a revolution that will redefine how we perceive, process and project power in the 21st century," he said, "When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, he traditional concepts of front, rear and flanks combat zones and depth areas all become irrelevant. What we call the front and the theatre merge into one. This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have even imagined. We must detect, identify and track potential threats not when they approach our borders, but when they are still in their staging areas, airfields and bases, deep within adversary territory. This existed as a concept even earlier but today we have the means to realise it."Adding further, he said, "The compressed timelines of modern warfare amplify this need. When hypersonic missiles can traverse hundreds of kilometres in minutes and drone swarms can reach their targets before traditional decision-making processes can respond, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just advantageous but essential for survival."Air Marshal Dixit said that the speed of modern weapons has fundamentally altered the OODA loop, compressing it from hours to minutes, sometimes even seconds, and this new reality is being shaped by mega satellite constellations that are revolutionising battlefield awareness."The fusion of Electro-Optical, SAR and SIGINT capabilities now enables a 24x7 dynamic, persistent and predictive mosaic of the battlefield. We no longer merely observe; we anticipate, predict and pre-empt," he said."As we look to the future, it becomes clear that government efforts alone cannot meet the pace of technological change we face. This is where our private sector emerges as a critical partner in our surveillance evolution. The dynamism, innovation and agility that characterise India's technology companies are precisely what we need to maintain our edge in this rapidly evolving domain. We need our private sector to push the boundaries in several critical areas. Integration of AI with electro-optic systems has the potential to revolutionise surveillance capabilities. AI-driven imaging seekers, automated threat recognition and predictive analytics can transform passive monitoring into active. and intelligent surveillance that anticipates rather than merely observes," he added, "The development of multispectral, all-weather surveillance systems that can operate effectively in our diverse geographical and climatic conditions is essential. From the Siachen glacier to the hot arid deserts down to the Indian Ocean, our surveillance systems must maintain effectiveness across all environments. We also need scalable and interoperable systems that can seamlessly integrate with existing military networks while remaining flexible enough to accommodate future technologies. The days of standalone, siloed systems are behind us. The future belongs to networked, collaborative platforms that multiply rather than merely add capabilities."Speaking at the seminar on national security, Lieutenant General Vineet Gaur, DG Capability Development, underscored the critical role of advanced surveillance in contemporary warfare."In today's modern era, advanced surveillance is not a luxury but a necessity. We witnessed its significance during the Kargil conflict, and its relevance has only grown in today's evolving security landscape," he further emphasised the increasing importance of space-based surveillance, particularly as the Indian Air Force undergoes a transformative phase."We are set to launch 52 satellites in the coming year, out of which 31 will be built by private sector firms," he revealed. These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors, and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh highlighted the indispensable role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare, stating that enhanced battlefield imagery and superior monitoring capabilities have become vital components of military success."Advanced surveillance is no longer optional--it is essential in any modern conflict," he said. "Clearer imagery and stronger surveillance systems provide a critical edge on the battlefield."He further stressed that Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) has emerged as a key element in today's combat environment."ISR is central to modern-day warfare, and Remotely Operated Systems (ROS) serve as its backbone," he explained, adding that the importance of these systems has been demonstrated in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine to developments in West Asia, Air Vice Marshal Singh pointed to the use of unmanned aerial attack systems in Yemen, which have drawn global attention."These examples show that ISR capabilities are vital for achieving dominance in today's contested airspace," he said.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
India's new warfare: Drones, data, and the defence race that can't wait
Warfare isn't what it used to be. The enemy might not come with boots and rifles, but with buzzing drone swarms, silent cyberattacks, and AI algorithms calculating their every move. For India, this future is already here. The recent exchange of drone fire between India and Pakistan in May 2025—the most serious clash in decades—marked the beginning of a new era. Both sides unleashed loitering munitions and kamikaze drones . For the first time in South Asia, unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ) became one of the central instruments of conflict. It was a live demonstration of what future conflict looks like. Thousands of UAVs filled the skies. Some watched. Some struck. Others confused enemy sensors or jammed communications. It was the subcontinent's first true drone war—and perhaps the start of a new era. Swarms over Sindoor: When the future arrived early India's 'Operation Sindoor' launched with precision missile strikes on nine terror camps across the Line of Control . But it was the drones that stole the headlines. Loitering munitions like the IAI Harop and kamikaze UAVs from Indian and Israeli origin swarmed across targets. In response, Pakistan retaliated with Turkish Bayraktar TB2s and Chinese Wing Loong IIs. Each side deployed over 1,000 drones. Not just to attack, but to observe, disrupt, and deceive. 'This marks a significant shift in the character of South Asian warfare,' said Rabia Akhtar, visiting fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center in a report by Foreign Policy. 'Drones weren't just tools of surveillance. They were instruments of strategic messaging—fast, low-risk, and deadly.' Live Events For the Indian Army , the learning curve was sharp. 'Managing the airspace with so many flying objects, jammers on both sides, and other users of airspace will be a huge challenge,' admitted a senior officer in a Deccan Herald report. More than eyes in the sky 'Drones now are not just about surveillance,' said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder of Garuda Aerospace . 'They need to carry payloads, drop bombs, and execute kamikaze missions. That requires integration between drone intelligence and explosive intelligence.' Garuda is among a growing list of Indian companies stepping up. The firm, which aims to reach 75% indigenous content in its drones within three years, collaborates with HAL and BEML. They're building UAVs that don't just watch—they think, strike, and survive. Another major player, ideaForge, underlined what's really needed now: consistency. 'Operation Sindoor has rightly placed India's defence-tech startups in the spotlight,' said Ankit Mehta, CEO of ideaForge. 'However, what the sector urgently needs is a clear and consistent procurement pipeline from the government.' He told ET, 'Defence innovation cannot succeed in isolation. It requires clear public-private collaboration and transparency in buying cycles. Above all, the sector's key expectation is consistent demand, ensuring the capabilities we develop are fully utilised when national security needs them most.' Brains behind the bots: AI and autonomy It's not just about flying machines—it's about smart ones. Garuda's systems now use AI and machine learning (ML) for everything from autonomous flight to target recognition and predictive fleet analytics. 'AI and ML are at the core of our drone technology,' the company states, noting over 10 lakh flight hours across its fleets. Yet, the challenges are real. A senior defence company senior official warned: 'Nobody is going to give us the latest AI or drone technology. We have to develop it ourselves, customised to our terrain, our needs, and our systems.' India's strategy runs on two AI tracks—civilian and defence. But while the software side has matured, the hardware story is bleak. 'We're still dependent on imports for edge-AI processors and high-performance computing chips,' the expert added. Without homegrown AI hardware, software superiority won't be enough. The invisible war: Cyber and electronic frontlines Cyber-electronic warfare doesn't make headlines—but it can end wars before they begin. From GPS spoofing to malware that freezes command centres, the dangers are growing. 'A cyberattack is like putting a pin in your brain,' the defence company senior official said. 'Your body—your assets—remain intact, but you're paralysed.' India's communication systems, increasingly digitised and centralised, make this a critical vulnerability. The consensus is clear: India needs a dedicated Cyber Command , built like those of the US or Israel. One that can detect, defend, and—when needed—disrupt. Not just Make in India, but Create in India. India's defence posture is shifting from manpower-heavy to tech-intensive. But this transition can't succeed with assembly lines alone. It requires invention. 'Make in India is not enough,' the defence company senior official said. 'We need to 'Create in India'. Designing, developing, and producing end-to-end solutions domestically is the only way forward.' This means accepting risk. Tolerating failure. Funding early-stage ideas without expecting instant ROI. India's defence R&D ecosystem—from DRDO and CDAC to private firms and academia—must align under one goal: self-reliant innovation. Cost, capability and the counter-drone race India isn't just building drones—it's building ways to stop them. During Operation Sindoor , Bharat Electronics Limited's revamped L-70 anti-air guns played a starring role. So did electromagnetic jammers and homegrown detection systems. "You can't shoot down a ₹20 lakh drone with a ₹5 crore missile,' the expert said. 'That's not sustainable.' DRDO has licensed six Indian companies to mass-produce counter-drone systems. And it's not stopping at the skies. Underwater unmanned vehicles (UUVs) are next, along with radars that can detect swarm attacks without triggering friendly fire. Upward trajectory: The Space race By the time a hypersonic missile is detected, it might already be too late. That's why India is looking skyward. Space-based early warning systems—constellations of satellites using synthetic aperture radar (SAR)—will become the new first responders. A recent ISRO launch failed to deploy one such payload. Still, optimism persists. 'The setbacks are technical, not strategic,' the official said. 'We will overcome them.' In fact, Garuda Aerospace sees crossover potential, 'Our strong R&D in drone autonomy can also feed into future space-based autonomous systems.' Collaboration: The four pillars The senior defence company senior official envisions a four-pillar model: Academia, Startups, R&D Institutions, and Industry. Together, they must build both the ideas and the tools India needs. But many startups face a familiar frustration. 'You involve us in development, we invest time and money thinking production will follow—and then nothing comes,' the expert noted. 'That's demoralising.' Consistency and continuity in defence orders could change that. Export or perish India's defence budget is vast—yet most of it funds salaries and pensions. Little goes toward future tech. 'If the government can't buy everything, it must help us sell,' the expert argued. Countries like Armenia and Morocco have already begun ordering Indian systems. But exports require more than product—they need deals, diplomacy, and government-backed financing. 'Look at South Korea,' he said. 'They started with nothing and are now exporting advanced systems. We must do the same.' The war before the war Drones, cyber tools, and AI aren't just weapons. They're deterrents. And diplomats. Used well, they allow targeted responses without escalation. Used poorly, they could provoke catastrophe—especially in a nuclear-armed neighbourhood. As drone warfare expert James Patton Rogers noted, Drones allow militaries 'to limit strikes to military targets, test defences, and provide a lower escalation response.' But that flexibility comes with temptation. If war is easier to start, will it be harder to stop? India's answer must be bold, strategic—and unshakably local. The new war has already begun. And this time, it won't wait.
