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The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces
A world-leading military strategist and an IDF insider explain the improbable success of the Israeli armed forces.
When the Israel Defense Forces was established in May 1948, it was small, poorly equipped, and already at war. Lacking sufficient weaponry or the domestic industrial base to produce it, the newborn military was forced to make do with whatever it could get its hands on. That spirit of improvisation carried the IDF to a decisive victory in the First Arab-Israeli War.
Today the same spirit has made the IDF the most powerful military in the Middle East and among the most capable in the world. In The Art of Military Innovation , Edward N. Luttwak and Eitan Shamir trace the roots of this astounding success. What sets the IDF apart, they argue, is its singular organizational structure. From its inception, it has been the world’s only one-service military, encompassing air, naval, and land forces in a single institutional body. This unique structure, coupled with a young officer corps, allows for initiative from below. The result is a nimble organization inclined toward change rather than beholden to tradition.
The IDF has fostered some of the most significant advances in military technology of the past seventy years, from the first wartime use of drones to the famed Iron Dome missile defense system, and now the first laser weapon, Iron Beam. Less-heralded innovations in training, logistics, and human resources have been equally important. Sharing rich insights and compelling stories, Luttwak and Shamir reveal just what makes the IDF so agile and effective.
When the Israel Defense Forces was established in May 1948, it was small, poorly equipped, and already at war. Lacking sufficient weaponry or the domestic industrial base to produce it, the newborn military was forced to make do with whatever it could get its hands on. That spirit of improvisation carried the IDF to a decisive victory in the First Arab-Israeli War.
Today the same spirit has made the IDF the most powerful military in the Middle East and among the most capable in the world. In The Art of Military Innovation , Edward N. Luttwak and Eitan Shamir trace the roots of this astounding success. What sets the IDF apart, they argue, is its singular organizational structure. From its inception, it has been the world’s only one-service military, encompassing air, naval, and land forces in a single institutional body. This unique structure, coupled with a young officer corps, allows for initiative from below. The result is a nimble organization inclined toward change rather than beholden to tradition.
The IDF has fostered some of the most significant advances in military technology of the past seventy years, from the first wartime use of drones to the famed Iron Dome missile defense system, and now the first laser weapon, Iron Beam. Less-heralded innovations in training, logistics, and human resources have been equally important. Sharing rich insights and compelling stories, Luttwak and Shamir reveal just what makes the IDF so agile and effective.
- GenresHistory
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 10, 2023
32 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Edward N. Luttwak
63 books208 followersEdward Nicolae Luttwak is a military strategist, political scientist and historian who has published works on military strategy, history, and international relations. Born in Arad, Romania, he studied in Palermo, Sicily, in England, LSE (BSc) & at Johns Hopkins (PhD). He speaks five languages. He serves or has served as a consultant to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force; he is/has been an adviser to Treaty Allies of the United States. He is chairman of the board of Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited (APFL), an aviation lessor, and he founded and directs a conservation cattle ranch in the Bolivian Amazon. He is the author of various
books and more articles including: The Rise of China vs the Logic of Strategy, Coup d'Etat: a practical handbook, Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace, The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire, The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire, The Endangered American Dream, and Turbo-Capitalism: Winners and Losers in the Global Economy. His books are also published in: Arabic, Chinese (both Beijing simplified and Taipei traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian (Bahasa), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (and Brazilian Portuguese) Romanian, Russian, Spanish (Castilian, Spain, in Argentina and in Venezuela), Swedish, and Turkish. Before ever writing of strategy and war, he was combat-trained (Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry) and fought as a volunteer or a contractor in several countries on two continents. He likes Hebrew songs and the Greek & Latin classics. His best article is "Homer Inc." in the London Review of Books.
books and more articles including: The Rise of China vs the Logic of Strategy, Coup d'Etat: a practical handbook, Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace, The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire, The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire, The Endangered American Dream, and Turbo-Capitalism: Winners and Losers in the Global Economy. His books are also published in: Arabic, Chinese (both Beijing simplified and Taipei traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian (Bahasa), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (and Brazilian Portuguese) Romanian, Russian, Spanish (Castilian, Spain, in Argentina and in Venezuela), Swedish, and Turkish. Before ever writing of strategy and war, he was combat-trained (Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry) and fought as a volunteer or a contractor in several countries on two continents. He likes Hebrew songs and the Greek & Latin classics. His best article is "Homer Inc." in the London Review of Books.
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April 27, 2025
The Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces by Edward N. Luttwak and Eitan Shamir explores the key elements that have made the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) one of the most innovative and capable military forces globally. The authors credit the IDF's effectiveness to its unique single-service framework, which unifies air, naval, and ground forces under a centralised command. This structure enhances coordination, accelerates decision-making, and allows quick adjustments in response to emerging threats. The factors that have shaped the inclination for innovation with the Israeli defense forces are primarily historical, organisational, and operational, as enumerated below:
• Historical factors:
o The need to build an army from scratch in 1948 due to attacks on the new state allowed for a single-service structure, unlike other nations' separate armies, navies, and air forces.
o The initial scarcity of resources and arms led to creative solutions like rehabilitating second-hand military equipment. Necessity, rather than technological ambition, drove early military research and development.
o The influence of diverse military doctrines, such as British military traditions, German manoeuvre warfare, and Wingate's commando methods, created a situation where new suggestions could not be rejected outright.
o The constant state of conflict has encouraged individuals to develop solutions to problems encountered in the field.
• Organisational factors:
o The single-service structure of the IDF fosters unity and innovation by avoiding conflicts between separate services. It allows macro innovations by preventing individual services from controlling research and development funds.
o A reserve-centered military brings civilian expertise into the IDF, as reservists contribute knowledge from various fields.
o A youthful officer corps and a culture of initiative empower lower-ranking officers to contribute new ideas. The Talpiot program also affirms that creativity outranks experience.
o The Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (MaFat), jointly run by civilians and military personnel, coordinates research and development projects.
• Operational factors:
o The need to overcome numerical inferiority led to the adopting of agile manoeuvre warfare tactics.
o A willingness to take risks and challenge established procedures has been crucial in saving lives and achieving military objectives.
o The IDF's structure facilitates a bottom-up approach to creativity, allowing for reinterpretations of orders and the seizing of initiative.
o Constant feedback between active-duty officers and reserve engineers in the defence industry ensures that designs are responsive to the IDF's needs.
o The use of special forces as experimental organisations to test new weapons and tactics.
The IDF have implemented several organisational innovations that have contributed to their effectiveness. Here are a few notable examples outlined in the book:
• Single-Service Structure: The IDF is a unified military body rather than a federation of separate military services. This unique structure integrates all armed forces under one command, eliminating inter-service rivalries and streamlining decision-making. This unity promotes innovation because research and development funds are not divided among separate services, allowing for investment in macro-innovations. The single-service structure also avoids the need for joint command headquarters and the struggle to balance staffing between services.
• MaFat (Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure): MaFat is a joint civilian-military R&D unit responsible for directing domestic and joint R&D projects and nurturing human resources. Its hybrid nature allows its head to attend IDF General Staff and Defense Ministry staff meetings, bridging the gap between military and civilian perspectives.
• Reserves: The IDF relies heavily on its reserve forces, drawing on the skills and expertise of civilians from various fields. This connection to the civilian world brings new ideas and perspectives into the military.
• The Talpiot Program: This program identifies and cultivates talented conscripts to develop new military technologies. The program affirms the principle that creativity outranks experience.
• Unit 8200 and Unit 81: Unit 8200 is an intelligence unit that has become a pioneer in digital signal processing and cybersecurity. Unit 81 focuses on customised innovations and problem-solving, delivering quick solutions for specific challenges. These units foster a start-up culture and encourage unrestrained ambition.
• The "Ghost Unit": Established in 2020, this elite combat unit integrates personnel familiar with all IDF components to select and integrate the most relevant capabilities for any combat task.
• Elite Units' Experimental Role: Special units serve as experimental organisations for the IDF, testing new weapons and tactics on a small scale before broader implementation.
• Integration of Women: Recognising the importance of maximising human resources, the IDF has integrated women into various combat roles and leadership positions.
• Open Door Policy: The IDF is known for its accessibility to individuals with new ideas, regardless of their qualifications or expertise. This open-door policy encourages bottom-up innovation and allows a wide range of perspectives to be considered.
• Command Structure: The IDF has cultivated a culture of initiative, where junior officers are empowered to take action and make decisions without constant supervision. This is due to a chronic shortage of senior officers. Mission orders replace top-down directives.
The IDF has a history of military technological innovation, often driven by operational challenges and supported by a unified approach to military development. A few notable examples captured in the book include:
• Gabriel Anti-Ship Missile: Developed in the 1960s, the Gabriel was the West's first anti-ship missile. It was cheaply developed by the then minuscule Israeli navy when Israel was still an agricultural country with little industry. During the 1973 October War, it decided the outcome at sea by sinking nineteen Egyptian and Syrian vessels, with the loss of none.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): In the 1970s, Israel pioneered small remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), now known as UAVs or drones. These were initially used for overhead observation and have since expanded to various forms of attack and transport. Israel remains a key user and exporter of drones, ranging from hand-launched models to long-range aircraft capable of air strikes.
• Merkava Tank: Also developed in the 1970s, the Merkava tank diverges from the classic rear-engine configuration of other main battle tanks. It is the heaviest main battle tank and is considered to be well-protected.
• Iron Dome: This anti-rocket and anti-missile system gained global recognition in 2014 for its high intercept rates against ballistic rockets. It achieved even better results in the May 2021 fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, reducing the impact of some 4,000 bombardment rockets to a handful of casualties. The Iron Dome was developed rapidly, going from initial funding in 2007 to successful combat use in April 2011.
• Trophy Active Protection System: This system detects incoming antitank missiles and rockets using radar and engages them with self-forging munitions. Integrated with the Iron Fist system, Trophy has been adopted by the US Army and others for their armoured vehicles.
• Helmet-Mounted Display System: This innovation allows pilots to see through their aircraft. It has become the central innovation of the multi-service, multinational F-35 fighter family.
• Runway Penetrating Bomb: In 1966, Israeli engineers invented a new kind of runway-busting bomb that weighed only seventy kilos but could still blast out a crater of as much as 5 meters in diameter and as much as 1.5 meters deep. This PaPaM bomb overcame the limitations of its small explosive power because it was first dropped in level flight at a low altitude; its forward momentum was then halted by a small parachute brake, whereupon it would tilt down toward the runway with gravity, at which point a small rocket would ignite to propel the bomb deep into the ground, even through concrete, with the explosion delayed for six seconds for maximum damage.
• Multirole Jet Fighter: In the late 1950s, the Israeli Air Force invented the multirole jet fighter, armed with cannons and not just missiles.
The book also emphasises the IDF's holistic approach to innovation, extending beyond technology to encompass training, logistics, and human resources. This comprehensive strategy ensures that the IDF remains agile and responsive to emerging challenges. The book is rich with details and examples of how IDF's organisational structure and operational circumstances accelerated their pursuit of innovative solutions. Overall, it is a very gripping read with deep insights; however, the lessons for nurturing innovation could be absorbed broadly, but the granularity is specific to Israel’s military circumstances and challenging geopolitical environment.
• Historical factors:
o The need to build an army from scratch in 1948 due to attacks on the new state allowed for a single-service structure, unlike other nations' separate armies, navies, and air forces.
o The initial scarcity of resources and arms led to creative solutions like rehabilitating second-hand military equipment. Necessity, rather than technological ambition, drove early military research and development.
o The influence of diverse military doctrines, such as British military traditions, German manoeuvre warfare, and Wingate's commando methods, created a situation where new suggestions could not be rejected outright.
o The constant state of conflict has encouraged individuals to develop solutions to problems encountered in the field.
• Organisational factors:
o The single-service structure of the IDF fosters unity and innovation by avoiding conflicts between separate services. It allows macro innovations by preventing individual services from controlling research and development funds.
o A reserve-centered military brings civilian expertise into the IDF, as reservists contribute knowledge from various fields.
o A youthful officer corps and a culture of initiative empower lower-ranking officers to contribute new ideas. The Talpiot program also affirms that creativity outranks experience.
o The Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (MaFat), jointly run by civilians and military personnel, coordinates research and development projects.
• Operational factors:
o The need to overcome numerical inferiority led to the adopting of agile manoeuvre warfare tactics.
o A willingness to take risks and challenge established procedures has been crucial in saving lives and achieving military objectives.
o The IDF's structure facilitates a bottom-up approach to creativity, allowing for reinterpretations of orders and the seizing of initiative.
o Constant feedback between active-duty officers and reserve engineers in the defence industry ensures that designs are responsive to the IDF's needs.
o The use of special forces as experimental organisations to test new weapons and tactics.
The IDF have implemented several organisational innovations that have contributed to their effectiveness. Here are a few notable examples outlined in the book:
• Single-Service Structure: The IDF is a unified military body rather than a federation of separate military services. This unique structure integrates all armed forces under one command, eliminating inter-service rivalries and streamlining decision-making. This unity promotes innovation because research and development funds are not divided among separate services, allowing for investment in macro-innovations. The single-service structure also avoids the need for joint command headquarters and the struggle to balance staffing between services.
• MaFat (Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure): MaFat is a joint civilian-military R&D unit responsible for directing domestic and joint R&D projects and nurturing human resources. Its hybrid nature allows its head to attend IDF General Staff and Defense Ministry staff meetings, bridging the gap between military and civilian perspectives.
• Reserves: The IDF relies heavily on its reserve forces, drawing on the skills and expertise of civilians from various fields. This connection to the civilian world brings new ideas and perspectives into the military.
• The Talpiot Program: This program identifies and cultivates talented conscripts to develop new military technologies. The program affirms the principle that creativity outranks experience.
• Unit 8200 and Unit 81: Unit 8200 is an intelligence unit that has become a pioneer in digital signal processing and cybersecurity. Unit 81 focuses on customised innovations and problem-solving, delivering quick solutions for specific challenges. These units foster a start-up culture and encourage unrestrained ambition.
• The "Ghost Unit": Established in 2020, this elite combat unit integrates personnel familiar with all IDF components to select and integrate the most relevant capabilities for any combat task.
• Elite Units' Experimental Role: Special units serve as experimental organisations for the IDF, testing new weapons and tactics on a small scale before broader implementation.
• Integration of Women: Recognising the importance of maximising human resources, the IDF has integrated women into various combat roles and leadership positions.
• Open Door Policy: The IDF is known for its accessibility to individuals with new ideas, regardless of their qualifications or expertise. This open-door policy encourages bottom-up innovation and allows a wide range of perspectives to be considered.
• Command Structure: The IDF has cultivated a culture of initiative, where junior officers are empowered to take action and make decisions without constant supervision. This is due to a chronic shortage of senior officers. Mission orders replace top-down directives.
The IDF has a history of military technological innovation, often driven by operational challenges and supported by a unified approach to military development. A few notable examples captured in the book include:
• Gabriel Anti-Ship Missile: Developed in the 1960s, the Gabriel was the West's first anti-ship missile. It was cheaply developed by the then minuscule Israeli navy when Israel was still an agricultural country with little industry. During the 1973 October War, it decided the outcome at sea by sinking nineteen Egyptian and Syrian vessels, with the loss of none.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): In the 1970s, Israel pioneered small remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), now known as UAVs or drones. These were initially used for overhead observation and have since expanded to various forms of attack and transport. Israel remains a key user and exporter of drones, ranging from hand-launched models to long-range aircraft capable of air strikes.
• Merkava Tank: Also developed in the 1970s, the Merkava tank diverges from the classic rear-engine configuration of other main battle tanks. It is the heaviest main battle tank and is considered to be well-protected.
• Iron Dome: This anti-rocket and anti-missile system gained global recognition in 2014 for its high intercept rates against ballistic rockets. It achieved even better results in the May 2021 fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, reducing the impact of some 4,000 bombardment rockets to a handful of casualties. The Iron Dome was developed rapidly, going from initial funding in 2007 to successful combat use in April 2011.
• Trophy Active Protection System: This system detects incoming antitank missiles and rockets using radar and engages them with self-forging munitions. Integrated with the Iron Fist system, Trophy has been adopted by the US Army and others for their armoured vehicles.
• Helmet-Mounted Display System: This innovation allows pilots to see through their aircraft. It has become the central innovation of the multi-service, multinational F-35 fighter family.
• Runway Penetrating Bomb: In 1966, Israeli engineers invented a new kind of runway-busting bomb that weighed only seventy kilos but could still blast out a crater of as much as 5 meters in diameter and as much as 1.5 meters deep. This PaPaM bomb overcame the limitations of its small explosive power because it was first dropped in level flight at a low altitude; its forward momentum was then halted by a small parachute brake, whereupon it would tilt down toward the runway with gravity, at which point a small rocket would ignite to propel the bomb deep into the ground, even through concrete, with the explosion delayed for six seconds for maximum damage.
• Multirole Jet Fighter: In the late 1950s, the Israeli Air Force invented the multirole jet fighter, armed with cannons and not just missiles.
The book also emphasises the IDF's holistic approach to innovation, extending beyond technology to encompass training, logistics, and human resources. This comprehensive strategy ensures that the IDF remains agile and responsive to emerging challenges. The book is rich with details and examples of how IDF's organisational structure and operational circumstances accelerated their pursuit of innovative solutions. Overall, it is a very gripping read with deep insights; however, the lessons for nurturing innovation could be absorbed broadly, but the granularity is specific to Israel’s military circumstances and challenging geopolitical environment.
June 7, 2024
Luttwak, un estimado historiador militar, ofrece un análisis original de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel. Shamir, exjefe del Departamento de Doctrina de Seguridad Nacional del Ministerio de Asuntos Estratégicos de Israel, aporta una perspectiva única y profunda tanto a la comprensión de los desafíos militares contemporáneos como a la burocracia que ciñe la defensa israelí. Juntos brindan una mirada concisa y convincente a lo que diferencia a las FDI de otros ejércitos.
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February 8, 2024
El libro supone un recorrido bastante extenso desde la creación de las Fuerzas Armadas israelíes hasta el día de hoy.
Aunque en ciertos pasajes se extiende en exceso con datos, fechas y ejemplo, el tono general es bastante ameno.
Su punto fuerte es, a mi parecer, que consigue resaltar los rasgos diferenciales de las unidades, como contrapunto a sus homólogas extranjeras.
Aunque en ciertos pasajes se extiende en exceso con datos, fechas y ejemplo, el tono general es bastante ameno.
Su punto fuerte es, a mi parecer, que consigue resaltar los rasgos diferenciales de las unidades, como contrapunto a sus homólogas extranjeras.
September 25, 2024
Un libro muy interesante sobre la capacidad de adaptación e innovación del ejército Israelí. Es cierto que algún capítulo es excesivamente largo, pero me ha parecido una lectura muy recomendable.
April 10, 2025
Resulta tremendamente árido y repetitivo , aunque no lo es el armamento que describe ni su desarrollo. A mí me cansa como si estuviera otra vez en el servicio militar. Uno se pregunta cuándo va a terminar ese continuo avance y lucha entre armas ofensivas y defensivas que no sé si ya en el año 2025 lleva a alguna parte o es una dinámica de la que no podemos deshacernos, como el morfinómano de su droga. Entiendo que los chips y la electrónica que incorporan esos cohetes debe ser muy útil en asuntos civiles, sanidad y construcción, pero para matarnos basta un cuchillo de cocina.
April 3, 2025
The wonder that is Israeli Defence Forces and how they managed to achieve so much with so little. A must read
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews