Leading the IDF’s Rechargeable Batteries Revolution

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were planning in the late 90’s their first multi device digital soldier systems.

As part of this effort, IDF considered replacing primary batteries used for tactical radios with rechargeable Li-Ion batteries. In year 2000, Epsilor was awarded a first rechargeable battery pilot program, aiming to improve operational efficiency, with a secondary mission of cost reduction.

Each rechargeable battery could replace some 1,000 primary batteries. Multiply this by thousands of battery units in service, and the saving is immense. After several years of rigorous testing in 2005 the army started to issue large scale battery orders, accumulated over the years to hundreds of thousands of batteries.

Epsilor was also awarded a contract to develop a series of tactical chargers for different equipment used by the IDF, including a universal charger that can support all tactical batteries used in military radios, night vision equipment, tactical computers, sensors, and other wearable soldier systems.

IDF’s first of its kind operational concept was completed in 2015, when the IDF ordered from Epsilor its universal mass chargers, able to charge hundreds of batteries per day in depots or in frontline charging shelters.

To date, every squad in the IDF can charge its batteries from a vehicle, a wall socket or a renewable source. Every company can charge a large number of batteries from tactical universal chargers, and large units can charge high battery volumes using universal mass chargers.

Epsilor is the main provider of tactical batteries and chargers to the IDF.