The Special Operations Engineering Unit (ISSO) of the Israeli army with the sonorous name Yaal has been paying great attention in recent years to further enhance its capabilities in underground warfare
In a conversation with a reporter for a German military magazine, the head of the development and conceptualization service in the Yaalom unit (Hebrew diamond), captain "L" (the last name was not named for security reasons), talked about how it develops in accordance with the new needs of the increasingly complex operational space.
Development lies not only in a significant increase in the number of personnel, but also in the constant search for new generation technologies that can increase the combat effectiveness of the ISPO, which performs its own regular set of tasks, as well as supports the work of other special units of the Israeli army.
According to a spokesman for the army, Yaal is tasked with "finding, clearing and destroying" underground networks used by extremist organizations and other structures to smuggle people, weapons and supplies to / from the Gaza Strip, for example.
He further noted that “As the threat of terrorist tunnels continues to grow, Yaalom’s mission is complicated by the fact that the enemy’s activities over the ground have no signs of being visible. The bottom line is that the enemy is invisible and the collection of intelligence information is very difficult. The Hamas group views the underground war as a continuation of the overground war, using all tactics, including defense, offensive and retreat. They even go to the destruction of their own tunnels, just to inflict damage on the Israeli soldiers inside; a similar tactic was used in Vietnam."
The organizing conclusions and enhancement of the special forces' capabilities by Yaalom followed criticism of the army's ability to conduct underground warfare, which followed a government report released by the state financial inspector in March 2017.
In this report, the government inspector focused on conducting underground missions based on intelligence data during Operation Enduring Rock in 2014 in Gaza, which was described as "slow and ineffective."
The report also criticized the army for insufficient information and an incomplete reconnaissance picture of the tunnel network, as well as the absence of any consolidated doctrine of underground warfare.
Tactics, methods and methods of warfare
Emphasizing that his unit has been constantly increasing its capabilities since its inception in 1948, Captain "L" spoke about how its structure, principles of combat use, tactics, methods and methods of warfare were developing with the additional integration of other special forces and what eventually became the Yaal division today.
In this regard, he mentioned the integration of the RCB reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal unit in 2015, which followed the takeover of the Samur underground warfare unit in 2004. However, Captain "L" confirmed that Yaalom would expand further and his number would double.
At present, the combat strength of the unit includes five subunits, divided into three operational battalions, each of which has six companies. The companies are divided into platoons and special operations groups, specializing in the performance of the entire spectrum of operations: RCB reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal, underground warfare and special reconnaissance.
Special missions may include detecting and neutralizing landmines, overcoming water obstacles, explosive entry methods and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In addition to the three operational battalions, the Ya'alom ISPS includes the Academy and the headquarters.
“Already before the start of Operation Unbreakable Rock, Yaalom received instructions for a significant increase in numbers,” explained Captain L. "Since then, we have reorganized our division and are aiming at significant growth."
Additional recruitment is carried out, including through consideration of applicants who have not passed the selection for admission to the elite units of the first level of the Israeli army, including the army unit, Sayeret Matkal, and the Navy, Shayetet-13 (S-13), as well as candidates from corps of engineering support.
Captain "L" also said that Yaalom directly provides special operations carried out by the aforementioned units, as well as other army special task units. First of all, support is expressed in the organization of explosive entrances to objects and the disposal of explosive objects.
“We are a universal force that can interact with other units or act independently. We have the ability to conduct full-fledged operations and act at our own peril and risk, but we can also conduct joint special operations. This is a popular concept for special forces,”he added, noting that units such as Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet-13 have their own experience of explosive entry and assault, although sometimes they rely on Yaalom in more specific conditions. Yaalom's unit is also tasked with organizing explosive ordnance disposal courses for all Israel Defense Forces special forces.
Technological rise
In response to criticism from the state inspector, the Defense Procurement Organization MAFAT of the Israeli Ministry of Defense issued a statement highlighting the priority activities in the field of underground technology and personnel training. It consisted, among other things, in carrying out a large amount of research work in order to find advanced technological solutions to counter the tunnel threat.
“As part of a course examining each relevant technology area related to solving the tunnel threat problem, MAFAT considered hundreds of proposals submitted by various organizations from Israel and other countries,” the official statement said. "All the selected proposals were presented to the state inspector, who gave a positive assessment to the huge amount of work of various research organizations and operational units aimed at combating the tunnel threat."
Noting the importance of the ISPO in the broader context of the Israeli army, Captain L said that the unit "is dynamically developing in terms of RCB reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal operations and underground warfare."
“In line with our efforts and under the control of the Samur underground combat operations, we are active in three main areas,” he added, pointing to the discovery, exploration and destruction of tunnels and other underground structures.
As for the detection technologies, the captain could not provide detailed information due to the secrecy label. “This area includes a huge number of technologies that we test every day. Among them are radiography and drones."
“Two main technologies are currently being successfully used in our work, one of them is the technology of devices for through-the-wall detection of signs of life or wall imagers,” added the interlocutor of the magazine.
Turning to the tunnel research technology, Captain L noted that IPSO “continues to update its fleet of robots or remotely controlled vehicles (ROV) and test other platforms with similar capabilities. We also use all kinds of remote devices in our operations, including retractable masts with cameras that help us explore tunnels.”
He confirmed that the ISSO received 12 MTGR (Micro Tactical Ground Robots) tactical micro-robots from Roboteam, which are already in operation in Israeli special forces.
Talking about how DUMs are being used to explore tunnels, as well as conduct "more sensitive operations," the captain noted that Yaalom also expects to receive "more than a dozen such robots in the future."
“Our disposal teams have been using robots for many years, and our faithful assistant, the Qinetiq TALON robot, is worth mentioning here. We are already accustomed to the fact that robots are always with us. That said, adding small MTGR robots to our arsenal will increase the capabilities of the IPSO division.”
Regarding the development of additional capabilities that robotization provides, Captain "L" noted that the current activities to integrate MTGR with "other sensors and the improvement of remote technologies will expand its capabilities quite significantly."
The MTGR robot, also known by the nickname "Roni Robot", is capable of dealing with IEDs and explosives in a wide variety of conditions, including underground.
According to a representative of the Roboteam company, MTGR has dimensions of 45, 5x36, 8x14, 5 cm, its mass is 7, 3 kg or 8, 6 kg in a tracked or wheeled configuration, depending on the parameters of the task being performed.
The robot is capable of transporting a payload of up to 10 kg, it is possible to install up to eight cameras, which allows for an all-round view. It also mounts white and infrared light illuminators for working in dark tunnel labyrinths, as well as a 3.5 mm jack for connecting voice devices. The robot with built-in GPS positioning system is compatible with the optional FALCON VIEW C2 software.
The operating time of the DUM MTGR is two hours (four hours with a double set of batteries). Also, several Picatinny rails are mounted on it for the installation of additional devices.
The DUM can operate at temperatures from -20 ° to 60 ° C, the robot can climb steps up to 20 cm high and overcome vertical obstacles up to 35 cm high.
Yaalom's task forces use robots for RCB reconnaissance, defusing explosives and increasing situational awareness, allowing operators to carry out critical tasks from a safe distance.
During reconnaissance operations for infections of various types and hazardous materials, the MTGR robot allows for safety reasons to increase the distance, acting as a relay for other robots. According to Roboteam, when performing demining tasks, this MSM can significantly reduce the risks for specialized groups.
A virtual reality
Finally, Captain "L" said that Yaalom had started a pilot project aimed at studying the concept of virtual reality technology, which should qualitatively improve the level of training both in the Academy and in special operations groups. This concept is consistent with the broader activities carried out under the Army's Mine Clearance Training Program. "This is a fairly large project that started as a pilot in our unit."
Yaalom now uses 3D glasses to enable operators to study virtual tunnel systems, including construction methods and their layout.
It also allows operators to receive training in the disposal of IEDs and other explosives, ranging from rocket-propelled grenades to mortar rounds and artillery shells.
The relentless pursuit of superiority is at the heart of the international community of special operations forces, whose units continually strive to maintain tactical superiority over rivals. Fighting with an almost equal enemy or less equipped, but proactive rebel groups, the special forces are forced to constantly develop not only the most popular and useful technologies, but also tactics, methods and methods of warfare in order to carry out their difficult service as efficiently as possible.
