The inclement weather that has landed on Israel should not have surprised anyone, but it creates a new and not necessarily simple challenge for the forces maneuvering in the Gaza Strip, and for the many forces that are preparing for possible fighting on the northern border.
"We fight 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and are constantly engaged in operations to preserve weapons capabilities in challenging weather conditions. The weather may still challenge us, but we are working hard to address it," Brig. Gen. Ariel Shima, chief technology and maintenance officer, told Israel Hayom.
Brigadier General Ariel Shima with the fighters in the field, photo: IDF Spokesperson
"We are preparing ourselves to maintain the fitness of the weapons, from supplying oils to rifles to releasing openings in the armored vehicles, so that the rain will come out and not remain inside the vessel like a pool. Of course, there are elements that affect the fighting, such as movement in muddy terrain versus dry terrain, and we are working this. There are cases in which we influence the operational axis so as not to put ourselves in a situation of sinking armored vehicles in the field."
"We will continue until victory"
The winter, Brigadier General Shima clarifies, will not stop the forces under any circumstances. "The IDF's weapons are very capable, and we are ready for any activity in any sector, against any enemy and in any weather. We try to be prepared for any operational scenario – multi-front and multi-pronged, in the south, north and Judea and Samaria. We will continue until victory and will not stop under any circumstances."
Since October 7, the Technology and Maintenance Corps, formerly known as the Ordnance Corps, has been working intensively to facilitate maneuvers in the field. IAF forces operate inside the Gaza Strip alongside the fighters, repairing tools under fire and returning them to use if possible.
"We set ourselves the goal of returning to the fighting all the vessels that were damaged, including those that were severely damaged. Any vessel damaged during the fighting will return to battle. More than 50 per cent of the vehicles significantly damaged during the fighting, including IED and anti-tank hits, have returned to the cycle of fighting."
The armored vehicles are very prominent in the maneuver, including the tanks, armored personnel carriers and the robust ones. In recent weeks, alongside the phenomenal successes, there have also been cases in which vehicles and fighters were hit by IEDs and anti-tank fire. Brig. Gen. Shima says that every such case is thoroughly investigated.
The APC - Merkava, photo: courtesy of the IDF Spokesperson's Office
"The Trophy system saves lives, but like any system, it is not 100% hermetic. Every incident of damage to an armored vehicle – no matter what it was damaged – is thoroughly investigated, and we learn lessons from it and apply them immediately."
The Technology and Maintenance Corps, concludes Brigadier General Shima, are determined to enable the forces operating to carry out their work in the south and north, and even risk their lives to do so.
"Our people are motivated and willing to risk their lives. The soldiers, commanders and commanders, regular and reserve, are imbued with extraordinary strength. I met soldiers and commanders inside the maneuver, some of whom had not been trained as fighters, and who were standing and risking their lives to allow the maneuver to continue as planned.
"We have excellent weapons and excellent means, but the main strength is our people. We won't stop until we win, and maybe even a little later, to make sure that we return all the tools to fitness for missions going forward."
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