The **Israel Defense Forces (IDF)** is the military organization of Israel, encompassing the army, navy, and air force, established in May 1948 shortly after Israel declared independence[1][6]. Its primary mission is to defend Israel from external threats, stemming from the country's unique geopolitical situation surrounded by often hostile neighbors. The IDF's operational doctrine emphasizes rapid mobilization of overwhelming force to decisively defeat enemies, reflecting a strategic imperative that Israel cannot afford to lose a war[1][3]. The IDF's structure is distinctive for its integration of land, air, and sea forces under a unified command, along with compulsory conscription that includes both men and women[2]. It comprises specialized units such as the elite Sayeret Matkal (special reconnaissance), Shayetet 13 (naval commandos), and paratrooper brigades, alongside conventional combat brigades like Golani and Nahal[5]. The force maintains a relatively small standing army (around 125,000 active troops, many conscripts) but relies heavily on a well-trained reserve force and advanced intelligence capabilities for early warning and operational planning[1][4]. A key feature of the IDF is its advanced technological integration, including cutting-edge missile defense systems like the Iron Dome and Arrow, and collaboration with U.S. defense industries on platforms such as the F-15 fighter jet[2][4]. Israel’s military industries, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, contribute significantly to indigenous innovation in defense technology, impacting both national security and the global arms market[2]. Strategically, the IDF focuses on deterrence, early intelligence, comprehensive defense across land, sea, air, and cyber domains, and swift victory in conflict[3]. Its doctrine balances the need to counter conventional state actors and asymmetric threats like terrorism. The IDF’s influence extends beyond defense, shaping Israeli society, economy, and technological advancement, making it a pivotal institution in business and technology contexts.