An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) unit known as Matzpen has played a pivotal role in enhancing the military’s operational capabilities through the integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, according to its commander, Col. Rotem Beshi. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Beshi detailed how Matzpen’s digital systems significantly contributed to Israel’s military effectiveness during the recent conflict with Iran, which took place in 2026.

Matzpen, a key component of the Communications and Cyber Defense Command under Maj.-Gen. Aviad Dagan, manages numerous AI-based applications that assist in offensive and defensive military operations. Central to these efforts is the LOCHEM system, which coordinated the planning of air force attacks on Iranian targets. Beshi emphasized that the system streamlined the decision-making process by integrating intelligence and operational planning, enabling the military to prioritize and execute attack waves with unprecedented speed. Tasks that once required days to complete were shortened to hours or minutes, enhancing the IDF’s flexibility in a rapidly evolving combat environment.

The unit operates in close collaboration with the air force’s specialized Iran unit and has expanded its reach across all major command fronts, including the northern, southern, and central commands. Beshi noted that the goal is to deliver technology that commanders find intuitive and empowering while avoiding complexity that might hinder battlefield effectiveness. Over the past several years, the pace of new application development has accelerated dramatically, with dozens of projects underway simultaneously.

During the Iran conflict, Matzpen’s advanced data processing helped the IDF manage a broad range of targets, including Iranian military-industrial and regime-related sites, though Beshi refrained from disclosing operational details to maintain security. He described Matzpen’s role as a critical link connecting intelligence collection, operational planning, execution, and battle damage assessment processes. This integration allowed the military to adapt plans in real time, adjust aircraft trajectories, and optimize targeting priorities. Furthermore, Matzpen facilitated extensive information sharing with U.S. forces, producing a shared operational picture to coordinate joint attacks against Iranian assets.

In addition to offensive applications, Matzpen bolstered defensive capabilities. The unit enhanced the IDF Home Front Command’s ability to issue timely warnings and manage civilian and emergency response coordination during missile attacks. Between the 2025 and 2026 conflicts, the Home Front, working closely with Matzpen, revamped procedures to improve the accuracy and speed of threat warnings, reducing the population under alert from an initial two million people to fewer than 900,000 in some instances. These refinements minimized civilian disruption while improving safety.

On the Lebanese front, Matzpen contributed to threat detection and force protection measures during operations in southern Lebanon by processing data from a wide array of sensors and human-fed video intelligence. The system’s ability to rapidly analyze and relay warnings, such as the issuance of immediate alerts for anti-tank missile launches, allowed troops to take protective measures within seconds, preventing casualties.

Matzpen’s satellite-based program, MAPIT, also supported operational awareness by integrating geographic and imagery intelligence from IDF Unit 9900 to produce real-time digital maps of threat locations, aiding command decision-making during the conflict. Beyond combat applications, Matzpen has improved the tracking of friendly forces to reduce the risk of friendly fire incidents, although challenges remain in high-pressure combat situations.

Col. Beshi highlighted ongoing efforts to expand data integration and AI capabilities across the IDF, describing Matzpen as unique in its cross-arms approach, unlike the more specialized data units serving individual branches. He underscored the strategic value of accessible, shared data in shaping battlefield success and stressed that Matzpen’s continued development is central to modernizing Israel’s military operations in an era increasingly defined by digital warfare.