Robotican Delivers Hybrid ROOSTER Drones to European Special Forces. An Idea for 8th Paratrooper Sappers in Underground Combat - VIDEO

Jerusalem, July 8, 2025 – The Israeli defense company Robotican announced today the successful delivery of dozens of its hybrid drone systems ROOSTER to special operations forces, intervention units, and European infantry teams. This strategic move strengthens the presence of the ROOSTER in the European defense landscape, also highlighted by its recent official NATO registration. The system promises to be a true "game-changer," especially for elite units like the 8th Paratrooper Sappers Regiment “Folgore” of the Italian Army, known for its specialization in underground combat.

The ROOSTER, which has already been employed by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the Home Front Command, and elite units in the United States, is rapidly becoming a crucial asset in modern operations. "The ROOSTER was developed as a strategic response to the growing need for precise intelligence in challenging environments where access is limited and situational awareness is critical," said Hagai Balshai, CEO of Robotican. "By allowing forces to gather crucial data before an operational breach, it significantly reduces risks and enhances mission planning."

The ROOSTER and Underground Warfare: Synergies with the 8th Sappers Regiment

The use of the underground as an operational environment represents an increasingly relevant tactical and strategic challenge. Tunnels, bunkers, urban tunnels, and underground infrastructures require specific training and dedicated equipment. The 8th Paratrooper Sappers Regiment “Folgore” has been tasked by the Army General Staff as the coordinating and training authority to develop combat capabilities in hypogeal environments, making it the ideal partner for the integration of advanced technologies like the ROOSTER.

Underground combat presents peculiar challenges: managing communications (C2) in an environment with signal transmission obstacles, the need for mobility and maneuverability in confined spaces, and clearance techniques for the removal of obstacles and explosive devices. This is where the ROOSTER can offer a significant advantage.

A Hybrid Drone for Complex Environments

The ROOSTER stands out for its unique hybrid capability, combining aerial agility with terrestrial robotic mobility. Specifically designed for complex and confined environments, it can switch from flying to rolling, allowing for highly energy-efficient operations in indoor, underground, and GPS-denied spaces. This feature makes it particularly valuable for sappers, who move and operate in tight and often unknown environments.

One of its most innovative features is the protective cage, which allows it to roll over rough terrain and access areas unreachable by conventional drones. Equipped with day/night infrared-sensitive cameras, visible and IR illuminators, and interchangeable payloads (including thermal cameras and hazardous material sensors), the ROOSTER provides forces with versatile tools for:

• In-depth tactical reconnaissance in tunnels and bunkers, integrating the UAV systems already in use by the 8th Regiment for underground reconnaissance.
• Urban search and rescue in collapsed buildings or damaged underground infrastructures.
• Hazardous material intervention in contaminated environments.
• Industrial safety inspections in confined spaces.

Robust Communications and Rapid Deployment for Sappers

Robotican also highlighted the system's support for robust MESH communications, which allow up to three ROOSTER units to operate together even in environments without external connectivity. This capability is crucial for command and control (C2) underground, where signal transmission is notoriously difficult, complementing the advanced systems and specific procedures already adopted by the 8th Regiment. With a typical mission duration of 90 minutes and up to five hours in standby mode, the platform offers extensive operational flexibility, essential for prolonged missions in hypogeal contexts.

Lightweight and robust, the ROOSTER is designed for rapid deployment. It fits into a tactical backpack and can be managed by a single operator, providing small units with immediate situational awareness and minimizing exposure to danger. This makes it an ideal asset for sappers, who require agile and easily transportable equipment during breaching and clearance operations in underground spaces.

NATO registration further strengthens the ROOSTER's position as a field-proven resource for allied forces. Its adoption in Europe, and particularly the potential for integration with specialized units like the 8th Paratrooper Sappers Regiment “Folgore”, underscores a growing demand for autonomous systems capable of operating in degraded or denied environments, where human access is limited and risk levels are high. Technological innovation, such as that offered by the ROOSTER, continues to be a crucial factor in addressing the challenges of modern warfare in extreme environments.