The dramatic increase in UAV use by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground units in combat has reignited a critical doctrinal debate: should IDF infantry operate their own dedicated unmanned aerial force, independent of Air Force control?
Current IDF Ground UAV Capability
At present, IDF ground forces operate only the Elbit SkyLark, a tactical mini unmanned aerial system (UAS) optimized for both dismounted and vehicle-based operations, along with a limited number of small multi-rotor drones. No other unmanned aerial systems are currently under direct ground force command.
The Case for Ground-Controlled UAVs
The primary argument for giving ground forces direct UAV command centers on responsiveness and battlefield autonomy. During fast-moving maneuver combat, ground units require immediate ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), resupply, communications relay, and counter-drone support. Centralized Air Force tasking structures are often too slow or theater-focused to fulfill those needs.
Israeli defense experts have proposed a model in which the majority of unmanned aerial systems are embedded within and commanded by the Ground Forces, while the Air Force refocuses on deep strike, air superiority and missile defense missions.
Opposition and Key Concerns
Critics of the proposal argue that a separate ground-operated aerial force would duplicate existing assets and drive up costs. A deeper concern is command-and-control fragmentation. A bifurcated drone force risks competing doctrines, degraded inter-service coordination and reduced Air Force flexibility in managing scarce airborne assets across the full operational theater.