Unit 9900

Last updated

Unit 9900
יחידה 9900‎
9900 unit logo.svg
Active1997 - Present [1] [2]
CountryIsrael
Branch Military Intelligence Directorate (Israel)
RoleGeospatial intelligence
Engagements
Decorations Israel Defense Prize (2022) [3]
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General S. [4]
(2019-2023)Brigadier General Erez Eskal [4]
Satellite operators in Unit 9900 IAF 9900 unit coverall 4.jpg
Satellite operators in Unit 9900

Unit 9900 (formerly Unit 9700) is a division within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), operating under the Intelligence Directorate. Its mission is to collect visual and geospatial intelligence for the IDF and other security forces. [5] The unit is known for recruiting autistic soldiers specifically. [6] Unit members are often otherwise exempted from military service and sign up via the Ro'im Rachok program or similar. [7] [8]

Contents

History

In 2020 it was reported that 58% of the unit's members were women. It was also reported that the unit was using civilian drones as part of a new drone unit within unit 9900, as well as artificial intelligence. [9]

In 2022, the unit was involved in Operation Breaking Dawn. [8]

In 2024, the unit was involved in operations against Hezbollah, analysing "terabytes of data" to identify operatives. [10]

In 2025, the unit was instrumental in Operation Roaring Lion, the IDF's strikes on Iran. They directed Israel's intelligence satellites to obtain images of Iran's facilities and anti-air defence systems. [11]

References

  1. ↑ בליזובסקי, אבי (2009-02-08). "חשיפה ראשונה של יחידת הלווינים של אמ"ן". הידען - Hayadan (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  2. ↑ "תיעוד מיוחד מלמעלה של חזרות טקס הדלקת המשואות". www.idf.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  3. ↑ אייכנר, איתמר; אלבז-אלוש, קורין (2022-06-14). "פרס ביטחון ישראל ללווייני אופק ופרויקטים במוסד ובצה"ל". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  4. 1 2 דומבה, עמי רוחקס (2023-08-21). "חילופי פיקוד ביחידה 9900 | Israel Defense". www.israeldefense.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  5. ↑ "Meet the unit behind the scenes of the IDF's precision warfare". The Jerusalem Post . 2020-07-02. ISSN   0792-822X . Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  6. ↑ Rubin, Shira (2016-01-06). "The Israeli Army Unit That Recruits Teens With Autism". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ↑ Lappin, Yaakov (2018-05-04). "The IDF's Unit 9900: 'Seeing' their service come to fruition". JNS.org. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  8. 1 2 Nelken-Zitser, Joshua. "Most armies ignore autistic people. Israel is calling them up". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  9. ↑ "Meet the unit behind the scenes of the IDF's precision warfare | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  10. ↑ Srivastava, Mehul; Shotter, James; Clover, Charles; Jalabi, Raya (2024-09-29). "How Israeli spies penetrated Hizbollah". FT . Retrieved 2025-09-03.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ Fleming, Eliana (2025-07-20). "Eyes in the Sky: Meet the IDF Unit Tracking Iran From Space". JFeed. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
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