IAI Rotem, a combat-proven Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) tactical loitering munition, is designed for use by special forces and can also serve for test and evaluation purposes.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently secured contracts with three NATO countries to supply Rotem loitering munitions, following Estonia’s purchase of long-range loitering munitions from the company. These contracts are valued at several million dollars and highlight the growing global demand for tactical loitering munitions. Rotem, a combat-proven Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) tactical loitering munition, is designed for use by special forces and can also serve for test and evaluation purposes.
IAI’s family of loitering munitions, which includes Harpy, Harop, and Mini-Harpy, has demonstrated its effectiveness in various combat situations since 2019. The acquisition of Rotem by three NATO members underscores the significance of these munitions in close combat scenarios, including urban combat.
Avi Elisha, MBT Missile Division VP and General Manager, IAI said, “This announcement follows the decision of another NATO member, Estonia, to purchase IAI’s long-range loitering munitions. Acquisition of Rotem by three different NATO members reflects the high and growing global demand for tactical loitering munitions. IAI has extensive experience in loitering munitions, having invented this type of munition almost 40 years ago. Rotem’s unique capabilities include Vertical Takeoff and Landing, making it a perfect choice for close combat scenarios, including urban combat.”
With a range of up to ten kilometers, Rotem was specifically designed for individual soldiers at the infantry or small unit/special forces level. Its straightforward operation and robust design contribute to its cost-effectiveness. IAI’s loitering munitions have emerged as a disruptive weapon category in recent conflicts, inflicting significant damage despite their small size. As a result, armed forces worldwide have shown interest in the offensive and defensive capabilities of this type of weapon.
Rotem, lightweight, compact, and affordable, excels in urban warfare environments. It provides individual soldiers with an elevated view of their surroundings, allowing them to monitor areas beyond their line of sight, such as hills or urban landscapes. Soldiers can strike targets as soon as they appear, enabling rapid response in dynamic combat situations.
Equipped with day and night electro-optical sensors, Rotem gives tactical field units an advantage over adversaries by acting as both a sensor and a weapon of opportunity. Unlike missiles or rockets, Rotem can be launched to search for a target but will be disarmed if authorization to attack is not received. In such cases, it can safely return to be retrieved, have its battery replaced, and be deployed for a new mission immediately.
Rotem boasts a flight endurance of 30 minutes or a loitering capability of up to nine hours. This allows it to hover over high buildings or hills, using an open camera and datalink to wait for potential targets to emerge. Once a target is detected, Rotem can launch an immediate attack.
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IAI’s success in securing contracts with multiple NATO countries for the supply of Rotem loitering munitions highlights the increasing global recognition of their unique capabilities. These advanced munitions offer enhanced situational awareness, precise targeting, and swift response capabilities, making them an invaluable asset for modern military operations.
