IDF to establish new Space Brigade to expand military capabilities in orbit
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing to establish a new Space Brigade under its Planning Directorate, with the unit expected to become operational by early 2027 as Israel seeks to expand its military space capabilities.
The brigade will oversee the development and operational use of space-based technologies, including orbital surveillance systems and capabilities for future space warfare. The initiative will be developed under the IDF’s multiyear Hoshen program and is part of a broader effort to strengthen Israel’s position as a military space power.
"I welcome the IDF's decision to establish a Space Brigade as part of the policy I am advancing: turning Israel into a military space power, 'blue-and-white Star Wars,'" declared Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. "The goal set for the IDF and the defense establishment is to make Israel one of the world's leading countries in military space capabilities.”
"The ability to monitor, defend and strike any target from space across vast areas will cement Israel's position as a regional and global power, deter enemies near and far, and ensure our security for generations to come.”
Katz also highlighted the potential economic benefits of developing space-based technologies for both military and civilian applications. He compared the initiative with the IDF’s cyber units, which have helped drive innovation and economic growth in Israel’s civilian high-tech sector.
A brigadier general is expected to command the new brigade, with two colonels leading its subordinate units. Its responsibilities will include training, technology development, incorporating new operational requirements into military planning and establishing a framework for long-term space operations.
Israel already operates space-based assets, including surveillance and communications satellites, as part of its national defense strategy. The new brigade is intended to bring these capabilities under a unified structure.
The IDF is also expected to draw on existing infrastructure, including Palmachim Air Force Base in the Negev, which serves as a launch site for Israeli rockets carrying satellites into orbit.
According to the commander of the IDF’s rocket unit, as quoted on the military’s website, the unit has three fundamental and unique roles which include "launching the Israeli defense industry’s intelligence satellites into space, carrying out all tests on aerial defense systems, and testing various types of munitions."
"The future leads us to complex work that gets more complex with time. On the other hand, the number of constraints increases. That demands more precision, and that’s where we’re headed—toward the development of advanced engineering capabilities that will allow us to carry out complex experiments in the Mediterranean area," the website states.
The announcement followed a meeting of senior IDF officers on Monday, chaired by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, which focused primarily on promotions and appointments. The meeting also saw the establishment of a Robotics Brigade under the IDF’s Depth Command, reflecting a broader military interest in robotics and autonomous technologies.
The move comes as Western militaries increasingly explore the use of robotics, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to improve battlefield capabilities.
“Humanoid robots are part of a broader autonomy push to increase the depth and breadth of robotic platforms and components industry can provide for a range of missions,” said U.S. Army Chief Technology Officer Dr. Alex Miller during a press conference on Sept. 29. “We are identifying the problems, mission needs, and opportunities to enable our formations with the right mix of tools.”
