IDF said to be eyeing purchase of 'suicide drones' - Lilach Shoval and Israel Hayom Staff

by Lilach Shoval and Israel Hayom Staff

The Rotem ("Juniper") drone will "change the face of battle at the battalion commander level," says official • The drone carries two grenades that explode when the drone hits its target • Soldiers can carry up to two Rotem drones on their backs.

A Rotem drone in flight

The Israel Defense Forces is interested in purchasing "suicide drones," an Israel Aerospace Industries official said on Sunday.

IAI has developed a drone called Rotem ("Juniper") that is capable of carrying grenades or cameras and can be used by infantry soldiers at the tactical level.

 
 IAI YouTube channel

"This is a tool that will change the face of battle at the battalion commander level," an IAI official said.

The cost of the Rotem is said to run in the tens of thousands of dollars. The IAI official said such drones have been sold to foreign militaries, but he would not specify which ones.

The weight of the Rotem is light enough that soldiers can carry up to two on their backs in special carrying cases.

The Rotem carries two fragmentation grenades that explode when the drone hits its target.

Lilach Shoval and Israel Hayom Staff Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33001 Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.