Efrat Kaykov Becomes 1st Woman to Lead IDF's 282nd Regiment

Colonel Efrat Kaykov has been appointed as the first woman to command the Israel Defense Forces' Artillery Corps' 282nd Regiment, marking a historic milestone for women in the Israeli military.

The appointment was announced as part of a new round of senior military postings led by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir on August 31, 2026. The appointments remain subject to the approval of Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, according to the IDF.

Efrat currently serves as the commander of the 213th Reserve Artillery Regiment. Her appointment to lead the 282nd Regiment comes after previous experience within the same formation, where she served as deputy commander.

The senior officer has already accomplished yet another great feat for women in her military career, becoming the first to lead a battalion in the IDF Artillery Corps. The new designation further bolsters her for being one of the first women to occupy senior leadership roles in the Israeli military.

The 282nd Regiment is an artillery unit of IDF Army troops that stands ready for combat. Efrat, as head of the regiment, will be in charge of the regiment and its training, military activities and personnel.

Key Highlights:

• Colonel Efrat has been appointed as the first woman to command the IDF Artillery Corps' 282nd Regiment
• Efrat  previously made history as the first woman to command a battalion in the IDF Artillery Corps
• Her appointment marks a significant step forward for women in senior leadership roles within the Israeli military

Her appointment is especially noteworthy because it is the first time in the history of the 282nd Regiment that a woman has led. According to Israeli media, Efrat is the second woman ever to become the commander of a brigade-level formation in the IDF.

The announcement was part of a cascade of high-ranking promotions by the IDF leadership. The military's official announcement states that several officers were posted to new commands as part of the latest military reshuffle under the leadership of Chief of Staff Zamir.

Efrat's appointment comes as part of a shift in the IDF in which women are gaining more and more senior command positions. The 282nd formation has already pointed out the inclusion of female soldiers in combat and command roles, as well as male soldiers in both positions.

Col. Efrat will go on to make another historic mark as the first woman promoted to the post in the IDF artillery corps of the first woman to command the 282nd Regiment.