What does the IDF's first full spectral war look like?

From disrupting and attacking enemy communications, through electronic synchronization between the forces, to assisting in the effort to move the population of Gaza south - we heard about the center that manages around the clock a combat space that cannot be seen

Today almost everything around us operates on frequencies: from televisions and telephones to radios and various aircraft. This reality revealed another fighting space - the spectrum dimension, which is a more significant arena than ever.

As the battlefield is becoming based on electronic means, forces skilled in disrupting these devices are more critical to operational success. 

This is the role of the ICT wing's spectrum warriors, who at this time are maneuvering together with infantrymen and armorers, in the first war in the country's history in which their spatial intensity is so high.

"For the sake of it, every space that has a "blue" side (us) and a "red" side (the enemy) is a combat dimension, and there is a battle for supremacy," explains Col. Y., commander of the Spectrum Warfare Center, "the air, the land and the sea They are dimensions that man did not create - and so is the spectrum."

Today, as he points out, most of the IDF uses the spectrum: "From the rocket to the weapons of the Israel Defense Forces, the tank that travels and the ship that sails. Our job is to make sure that the IDF succeeds in working in the spectrum, and our challenge is to synchronize, to see that this thing works together, and that we do not exceed the frequency of each other. If it is capable of producing communication, then it works in the spectrum - and that is within our circle of responsibility."

The roles of the forces include disrupting and denying the enemy's spectral capabilities, both in defense and attack. "We have women fighters and front-line fighters who go out into the field with very advanced tools," boasts Lt. Col. A, commander of the 5114, the Staff Spectrum Fighter Battalion ('Psagot'), "they know how to attack in their space in order to negate enemy capabilities."

In addition to all of this, the fighters use their platforms to help in the effort to move the Palestinian population to the south of the Strip: "In order for the IDF to be able to deal with the many threats it faces, we need to call on the residents of Gaza to evacuate, also with the help of civilian media in the Strip."

Since the beginning of the war, the center has been deployed in all sectors and its contribution to the fighting efforts is significant, "We are strengthening and expanding in the areas of responsibility and the means of combat at our disposal," says Col. Y., "We are succeeding in protecting strategic assets while integrating and supporting the ground maneuver."

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