Artificial intelligence played a decisive and expanding role in the Israel–Iran war, reshaping air operations, target selection, and missile defence performance.
Image: XINHUA
The war marked one of the most intensive real-world deployments of military AI systems to date, with both offensive targeting tools and defensive interception networks operating at scale. However, Iran’s evolving strike tactics and saturation attacks have raised questions about whether algorithm-heavy systems can maintain effectiveness under prolonged pressure.
Artificial intelligence was central to Israeli Air Force operations during the conflict, according to IDF officials. The Matzpen operational data unit integrated AI systems into planning and targeting workflows, significantly accelerating decision-making for airstrikes on Iranian positions.
A key system, LOCHEM, was used to prioritise targets and coordinate strike waves. Military officials said it reduced planning cycles from days to hours or even minutes, enabling rapid, high-precision operations. AI-supported intelligence also helped connect battlefield data in real time, linking detection, approval and strike execution processes.
Israeli sources said AI-assisted analysis contributed to fast-moving strike sequences against Iranian military leadership and missile infrastructure during the opening phase of the war.
Military officials described a streamlined kill-chain enabled by AI integration, where intelligence gathering, operational planning and strike execution were tightly linked. Systems processed battlefield data continuously, feeding both strike planning and post-strike assessment.
The Israeli military said this reduced delays between identifying and engaging targets, allowing coordinated waves of attacks to be launched with greater speed and flexibility. AI tools also supported battle damage assessment, helping refine follow-up operations.
Officials emphasised that the aim was not full automation, but decision support systems designed to enhance human command decisions under time pressure.
Defences Under Pressure
Israel’s AI-enhanced air defence network, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems, faced intense strain during Iran’s multi-wave missile and drone attacks. These systems rely on automated radar analysis, algorithmic threat classification and rapid interceptor deployment.
Iran’s “saturation” strategy, launching large numbers of projectiles simultaneously, was designed to overwhelm these AI-assisted systems. Reports indicated heavy pressure on interceptor stockpiles and concerns about long-term sustainability under continuous attack conditions.
While Israel claims high interception rates, analysts note that sustained volume attacks expose weaknesses in cost and capacity rather than detection accuracy alone.
Experts warn that AI-driven warfare introduces new operational and ethical challenges. While automated systems can rapidly generate target lists and accelerate decision cycles, they also raise questions about human oversight, accountability and error detection.
Concerns have also emerged about how AI systems distinguish between civilian and military targets in complex environments, particularly when data inputs are incomplete or ambiguous. Analysts argue that while AI improves speed and coordination, it cannot fully replace human judgment in uncertain battlefield conditions.
The conflict has therefore highlighted a central tension in modern warfare: AI systems can enhance precision and responsiveness, but sustained, adaptive adversaries may expose structural limits in automated decision-making under pressure.
Written by:
*Cole Jackson
Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Chinese & South America Specialist
**The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.
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