Israel deploys unmanned naval vessels to bolster maritime defense
Autonomous boats now patrol exclusive economic zone, marking shift in naval strategy.
The Israeli Navy has begun operating unmanned surface vessels for the first time in its exclusive economic zone, in what officials describe as a significant expansion of the country’s maritime defense capabilities.
The autonomous boats are designed to operate continuously in open waters, monitoring vessel activity and collecting intelligence in real time. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the new systems are already active, building a “broad maritime picture” and helping identify and track movements within the country’s economic waters.
“The information produced by the vessels is collected, documented and used by the IDF to analyze threats and use force in the maritime zone,” the military said in a statement. The systems are also deployed in missions to protect critical national infrastructure.
The Navy said the unmanned boats represent a “significant reinforcement” of its defense posture at sea.
