Profile
- Type
- Armored bulldozer
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- 1955-present; armored Israeli service in the 2020s
Armored Vehicles
Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer
The Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer is an IDF combat engineering vehicle adapted from Caterpillar's large dozer platform and documented in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War for route clearing, rubble removal, and terrain shaping under fire.
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Built by
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- In service
- IDF combat engineering vehicle used for route clearance, rubble removal, and obstacle reduction in high-risk areas.
- Used by
- Israel Defense Forces Combat Engineering Corps
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Designed
- 1955
- Built by
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Built in
- United States
- Produced
- 1955-present
Specifications
- Engine model
- Cat C18
- Net power
- 452 hp (337 kW)
- Operating weight
- 110,225 lb (49,988 kg)
- Blade capacity
- 17.8 yd³ (13.6 m³)
- Track gauge
- 88.6 in (2,250 mm)
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: IsraelRole: Combat engineering route-clearing bulldozer
Used by the IDF in the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza for route clearing, rubble removal, and terrain shaping during ground operations.
Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer Images
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Cat D9 DozerPublisher: Caterpillar | Note: Supports manufacturer background and the current D9 specifications used for this entry, including engine model, power, operating weight, blade capacity, and track gauge. | Accessed: 2026-06-20The Cat D9: What a TractorPublisher: Caterpillar | Note: Supports background and production-history context for the D9 platform; Caterpillar says the first D9 rolled off the line in 1955 and more than 40,000 have been delivered worldwide. | Accessed: 2026-06-20How Does the D-9 Save Lives?Publisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports background on the IDF D-9 combat engineering role, including neutralizing threats, clearing rubble, and reducing risk to soldiers in hazardous operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IDF D9R bulldozer - Swords of Iron - 2023-11-02.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports Israel-Hamas War conflict-use and image provenance; IDF Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer used by Israeli combat engineers in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War on 2 November 2023. | Accessed: 2026-06-20IDF D9R bulldozer - Swords of Iron - 2023-11-16.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Israel-Hamas War image showing an IDF Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer in Swords of Iron War 2023. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Swords of Iron - IDF D9 and Flag - 6.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Israel-Hamas War image showing an IDF D9 armored bulldozer with soldiers during Swords of Iron war. | Accessed: 2026-06-20