IDF Chief of Staff: "We Shrank the IDF for 20 Years, That Trend Has Stopped"
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced that the IDF's two-decade trend of shrinking has been reversed, stressing the need to prepare for surprise attacks. He spoke during the first training exercise of the newly formed Division 38, a unique unit composed of training formations. Zamir stated that the army's size is critical for Israel's strategic depth as missions increase. Division 38 is the first maneuver division re-established in decades, designed for flexibility and multi-arena operations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir declared the end of a 20-year trend of shrinking the military.
- Zamir emphasized the need for the IDF to always prepare for surprise attacks, citing past failures.
- The remarks were made during the first training exercise of the newly established Division 38.
- Division 38 is unique as it is composed of the IDF Ground Forces' training units.
- The division is intended to be a flexible, multi-arena reserve formation.
- The IDF aims to leverage existing training infrastructure and personnel for operational readiness.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the trend of shrinking the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) over the past two decades has been halted, emphasizing the need for the military to always prepare for unlikely scenarios, drawing lessons from both the Yom Kippur War and the October 7th Hamas attack. Zamir made these remarks during his visit to the first training exercise of Division 38, a newly established training division.
Division 38 represents a significant shift, being the first maneuver division re-established in the IDF in decades. Unlike other divisions, it is composed of the Ground Forces' training units, including artillery, combat engineering, armored corps, infantry, and officer training schools. This structure aims to bridge the gap between force buildup and force deployment, allowing training units to also operate as a cohesive division in combat.
Zamir highlighted that the IDF's missions are increasing, and the army's size is crucial for Israel's strategic depth. The establishment of Division 38 and other formations is seen as essential for strengthening the IDF and Israel's security. The division is designed to be a flexible, metropolitan reserve division capable of operating in various arenas.
The division's unique model allows it to leverage existing personnel, infrastructure, and capabilities from the training system, rather than building a new operational command from scratch. This approach also aims to shorten response times, as the division is already integrated and trained. However, operating these units in combat could potentially impact ongoing training, a concern the IDF is addressing by designating alternative personnel to maintain training continuity.
Historically, Division 38 carries the number of the first division established in 1956, which fought in Operation Kadesh and the Six-Day War under Ariel Sharon. Zamir sees this revival as a connection between the past and present, symbolizing the IDF's commitment to learning from past failures and moving forward.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2Right 1Haredi 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
