New Remote-Controlled System for Non-Lethal Means

IDF soldiers contend with violent riots and other security challenges on an ongoing basis while enforcing the law in the area of Judea and Samaria. The IDF constantly endeavors to develop new means to face these challenges in a manner that would minimize to the extent possible risk to all those involved. 

Recently, the IDF developed a Remote Controlled Non-Lethal Means Delivery System, designed to disperse violent riots and counter other security threats against civilians and IDF forces, including life-threatening hurling of stones and Molotov cocktails and use of gunfire. The system enables the remote use by a human operator of non-lethal means which are authorized for use by the IDF (for example, sponge-tipped rounds). The system does not include the use of live fire. The locations for potential deployment of the system have not been fully decided and are still being examined.

The system is fully controlled by a soldier specifically trained and authorized to operate it in accordance with the means' professional directives and IDF Standard Operating Procedures, which take into account the nature of the threat posed in the circumstances.  

The system is intended to improve security in the area while better ensuring civilian protection during IDF law enforcement activity. The system will also minimize risk to IDF soldiers and improve commander supervision over the soldiers’ activity.

In this regard, the system includes a technological sighting feature which allows the operator to visually mark a certain person as an object for the use of the non-lethal weapon, under circumstances where approved in accordance with IDF Standard Operating Procedures. In doing so, the system assists the operator in accurately directing the means at that person and to strike less sensitive areas in his body, in order to minimize as much as possible the risk of severe harm to the person in question as well as to bystanders. In this way, the system reduces the likelihood of inaccurate fire.

The system underwent a comprehensive review from various operational, technical, health and legal bodies within the IDF. As a result of this review, the system has been cleared for operational use in certain contexts, after receiving the required approvals, subject to vigorous conditions and limitations intended to ensure its proper use. As mentioned, its specific potential areas of deployment are still being examined and will be authorized separately.

With regard to the system stationed in Hebron, and in response to recent media publications, it should be emphasized that the system is not being used operationally at this stage.