• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Combat Engineer Corps

The Combat Engineer Corps is a corps that combines infantry warfare and the field of engineering. The Engineer Corps fights as engineering units: breaching obstacles, dismantling mines, burying charges, creating obstacles for the enemy (mines, fences, dirt trenches, etc.) and also functions as infantry units in routine and emergencies. The corps was established with the establishment of the IDF. It is headed by a Kahnar (Chief Engineering Officer).

The corps took an active part in all of Israel's wars, in destroying infrastructure, in breaching enemy lines, and are particularly noteworthy in the success of the Suez Canal and the breaching of the Syrian fortifications in the Yom Kippur War. Today, the Corps takes part in every operational activity as an operational and maneuvering force that enters first into every mission. The Corps has three combat battalions:

1. Battalion 601 - Assaf Battalion
2. Battalion 603 - Lahav Battalion Battalion
3. Battalion 605 - Hammer Battalion

In each engineering battalion, there are several companies - similar to infantry battalions: rifle companies, companies route (soldiers who are still in the training route), the army company and the headquarters company. The Tsama company (engineering mechanical equipment) is a company that consists of the D9 bulldozers, huge bulldozers that are used in a huge variety of activities, from digging trenches, through exploding cargo to demolishing houses. Mahsar (reconnaissance department) in every engineering battalion, there is a patrol department equipped with hummers. Their mission is to open field cells in front of the battalion, identify obstacles and a possible enemy, and more.

The special unit of the corps is Yalam (engineering unit for engineering tasks) - a unit that is the spearhead of the corps. As its name, yes it is - a belief in special engineering tasks that are unique only to it, such as the underground and hidden medium, tapping and sabotage, hot and cold hacking. In addition, the unit is the highest professional authority for dealing with munitions and dangerous munitions. Yalam is endowed with assistance to IDF units in unique engineering tasks on land and in water obstacles. The unit is headed by an officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. ", such as destroying the tunnel infrastructure of Hamas and protecting our forces. This success resulted in a significant increase of the unit, doubling its capabilities and turning it into an engineering giant in the future.

The unit's role includes special sabotage missions, demolition and detonation of buildings, sabotage of enemy infrastructure, handling of explosives, preparation of charges and bombs, neutralization of enemy explosive charges, clearing of complex minefields, locating and destroying Slicks and smuggling and incendiary tunnels and other tasks. Sometimes, the unit uses robots and many remotely controlled means - without risking human life.

A Combat Engineering Vehicle (CEV) is a type of armored vehicle designed to support combat engineers on the battlefield. A combat engineering vehicle is a land/military vehicle that is used for construction work or for transporting combat engineers on the battlefield. These vehicles can be modified civilian equipment, such as armored bulldozers, or purpose-built military vehicles. These vehicles are typically based on tank chassis and are equipped with various tools and systems to perform a range of tasks that include, but are not limited to:

• Breaching and Clearing Obstacles: CEVs can be equipped with plows, dozer blades, or mine-clearing devices to remove obstacles such as rubble, earthworks, or minefields that would otherwise impede the mobility of friendly forces.
• Demolitions: They often carry a range of explosives to destroy structures or create obstacles for enemy forces.
• Earthmoving and Construction: With their bulldozer blades and often an excavator arm, they can perform a variety of engineering tasks, such as constructing defensive positions, filling ditches, or preparing the ground for the construction of roads and airfields.
• Fortification: CEVs can be used to build, improve, or repair fortifications to enhance defense capabilities.
• Bridge Laying: Some CEVs are capable of launching bridges, enabling their own forces to cross water obstacles or ditches under combat conditions.
• Vehicle Recovery: They can also act as armored recovery vehicles, helping to tow damaged vehicles out of the line of fire for repair.

One of the most well-known CEVs is the U.S. Army's M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle, which is based on the M60 tank chassis. It is equipped with a 165mm demolition gun, a .50 caliber machine gun, a winch, a dozer blade, and other tools necessary for a variety of engineering tasks on the battlefield. Modern CEVs continue to evolve, integrating advanced technologies such as drones for reconnaissance and increased automation for tasks like mine-clearance. These advancements increase their effectiveness while reducing the risks to the engineers who operate them.