Maariv: Israeli Army Revamps Structure to Address Soldier Shortages

The Hebrew newspaper Maariv revealed that the Israeli army is undergoing significant structural changes to address its shortage of soldiers. As part of these changes, the army plans to purchase 15,000 drones for all field units and acquire 1,000 new transport vehicles to replace its aging armored fleet.

In an article by Avi Ashkenazi, the newspaper reported that “to address the shortage of soldiers, the Israeli army is requesting an extension of mandatory military service back to 36 months.” Additionally, after lessons learned from the recent war in Gaza, the military intends to significantly bolster its combat engineering capabilities.

Reinforcement of Armored Divisions and Regional Defense

The report noted that the army plans to enhance its armored corps by adding a third platoon to every battalion and implement a comprehensive reform of its regional defense units. A newly established Mountain Brigade, which was initially a reserve unit, will be converted into an active-duty brigade.

Maariv added that the army will create and strengthen reserve battalions in regional divisions, with a particular focus on the northern border. It plans to bolster its border defense units by forming specialized teams of soldiers trained in intelligence gathering and increasing the number of reconnaissance forces. The acquisition of 15,000 drones is also a cornerstone of these efforts, as is the establishment of a dedicated transport unit to improve logistical support for field units.

The Lessons of the Gaza War

According to Maariv, the recent Gaza conflict highlighted Israel’s need to maintain a strong ground army. The military is currently making adjustments to its ground unit structures to avoid repeating past mistakes. The report emphasized the urgent need to reform certain units, particularly combat engineering, which has been identified as critically under-resourced.

The report disclosed that the army only has three reserve battalions dedicated to combat engineering, which it views as insufficient for operational needs. To address this, an additional battalion will soon be created, though doubling the size of this division will require substantial resources, including the acquisition of Namerot combat vehicles—platforms based on the Merkava Mark IV tank.

Additionally, the army plans to equip its ground forces with only Merkava tanks, specifically the Mark IV and Mark III models. Each battalion—whether in active duty or reserve—will consist of three tank platoons, replacing the current structure, where some battalions operate with only two platoons.

Enhanced Border Security and Tactical Capabilities

The Israeli army also intends to expand its border defense network. This initiative will involve reorganizing regional divisions to rely more heavily on reserve forces, who will maintain order through enhanced firepower capabilities. This shift is expected to enable prolonged defensive battles and allow mobile units to conduct rapid maneuvers.

Concerns Over Air Force Weakness

Military sources acknowledged weaknesses in the Israeli Air Force, not just in countering drones but across several operational domains. They noted a significant lack of independent operational capabilities within ground forces, which leaves them unprepared for future threats.

The sources suggested that ground forces need far more access to tactical air force platforms to bridge the operational gaps. They also criticized the ground forces’ excessive reliance on air support and highlighted a shortage of transport vehicles capable of moving troops from defensive lines to offensive positions efficiently.

Future Plans to Strengthen Ground Forces

To address these shortcomings, the army plans to acquire additional Hummer vehicles and other light tactical platforms. This move aims to enhance the mobility of ground forces, enabling them to deploy larger numbers of soldiers more quickly and efficiently during operations.