Israeli firm unveils armed autonomous vehicle to patrol battlegrounds

An Israeli aerospace and aviation manufacturer has unveiled an armed autonomous vehicle that can be utilized for military purposes.

Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled the Rex MK II, an unmanned vehicle that can either operate on its own or be controlled remotely by one operator. The Rex MK II’s abilities include delivering supplies to troops on the battlefield, providing armed assistance in combat, carrying injured soldiers away from danger, and gathering intelligence on the enemy and the battlefield, according to the press release. The vehicle can reportedly carry up to 1.3 tons and carries on it a 7.62mm machine gun and a 0.50-cal heavy machine gun.

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Zvika Yarom, the general manager of IAI’s Land Division, said in IAI’s announcement that the Rex MK II is intended to mitigate threats to soldiers’ lives by carrying out missions typically done by human beings.

“This system is based on harnessing our decadeslong experience with UAVs to implement in the world of land vehicles,” Yarom said. “IAI’s unmanned land platforms are in use operating along Israel’s borders and in different fighting units as well as in other locations around the world. We are experiencing a rise in demand from clients for unmanned land platforms.”

The new Rex MK II joins other operational unmanned platforms that IAI has developed, including the Jaguar, the RobARC, the Robattle, and the RobDozer, all of which are used to serve military purposes without endangering soldier’s lives.

The Rex MK II will be presented at the Defence and Security Equipment International, which will take place from Sept. 14-17.

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The debut of the IAI’s new vehicle comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Palestine. Israel launched airstrikes against Gaza in June, nearly one month after a ceasefire between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas.

A Palestinian was shot at by Israeli police officers on Sept. 10 when he attempted to stab them during protests in Jerusalem.

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