Elbit Systems
Israeli international defense-technology company specializing in military electronics, unmanned systems, aerospace, land systems, and communications.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Elbit Systems is an Israeli international defense contractor and military-technology company. Its portfolio spans command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; unmanned aircraft; electro-optics; electronic warfare; signals intelligence; military communications; artillery and armored-vehicle systems; night vision; avionics; and aerospace structures. The company supplies the Israel Defense Forces and defense organizations in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America, operating through subsidiaries, joint ventures, and locally incorporated businesses. The company originated in 1966 as Elbit Computers Ltd., established by Elron Electronic Industries with participation from Israel’s Ministry of Defense to develop computers and electronics for military use. Its early Elbit 100 minicomputer also found civilian applications, but during the late 1970s and 1980s the business increasingly concentrated on defense electronics. It developed equipment and subsystems associated with Israeli programs including the Lavi fighter and Merkava armored vehicle, while expanding from computing into avionics, fire control, communications, and battlefield systems. Elbit was reorganized into separate businesses in 1996. The defense-electronics business became Elbit Systems, which merged with El-Op in 2000. That combination created Israel’s largest nongovernmental defense-electronics group and brought together Elbit’s computing and systems expertise with El-Op’s electro-optical capabilities. Subsequent acquisitions and integrations added Elisra, portions of Israel Military Industries’ aircraft-systems activities, Mikal, Tadiran Communications, IMI Systems, Universal Avionics, Geospectrum Technologies, and other specialist businesses. Its best-known offerings include the Hermes family of unmanned aircraft, land-force command-and-control systems, Iron Fist active protection, advanced helmet-mounted displays, night-vision equipment, electronic-warfare suites, satellite communications, tactical radios, naval sonar, and avionics. Elbit also participates in major foreign defense programs, including the British Watchkeeper unmanned-aircraft program, UK military flight training, American helicopter and aircraft programs, Canadian naval sonar, and aerospace manufacturing. Elbit’s operations are closely associated with Israel’s defense establishment and with the use of Israeli military technology in active conflicts. This has made the company a focus of protests, divestment campaigns, and political criticism in several countries, particularly the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany. Reporting has also connected Elbit-produced or Elbit-operated unmanned systems with controversial military operations and civilian casualties. These issues coexist with the company’s role as a major industrial employer and exporter. A 2025 investor presentation cited approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, including about 3,200 in the United States. Elbit Systems is listed on both the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
History
Elbit Systems began in 1966 as Elbit Computers Ltd., a venture formed by Elron Electronic Industries and Israel’s Ministry of Defense to create computing and electronic equipment for the Israeli military. Its first notable product was the Elbit 100 minicomputer, which was also marketed for civilian purposes. In 1970, Control Data Corporation agreed to acquire the Israeli government’s interest and helped distribute Elbit computers internationally. Elbit went public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 1978. During the early 1980s it shifted decisively toward defense electronics, changing its name to Elbit Ltd. and developing systems for Israeli aircraft, armored vehicles, avionics, and battlefield applications. In 1996 the wider Elbit business was divided into three independent companies, including Elbit Systems as the defense-electronics arm. A defining turning point came in 2000, when Elbit Systems merged with El-Op. The transaction combined Elbit’s systems and computing capabilities with El-Op’s electro-optics expertise and created Israel’s largest nongovernmental defense-electronics company. Michael Federmann, who controlled El-Op, became the combined company’s leading shareholder and later chairman. Elron ultimately sold its remaining Elbit Systems interest in 2004. The company expanded through acquisitions and program integrations. These included Elisra, aircraft-systems assets of Israel Military Industries, Mikal, Tadiran Communications, Universal Avionics, Geospectrum Technologies, and the Harris night-vision business. In 2018 Elbit completed the acquisition of IMI Systems, strengthening its land-force, artillery, and armored-platform businesses. It also developed substantial overseas operations, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, Elbit established local businesses around the Watchkeeper unmanned-aircraft program, acquired Ferranti Technologies, operated Instro Precision, and participated in the Affinity military-flight-training joint venture. The company’s UK presence became a target of direct-action protests and divestment campaigns because of its links to Israeli military programs. Ferranti was sold in 2022, while Elbit continued to operate several UK businesses and opened a Bristol facility in 2023. Elbit’s products have been used by Israel and foreign militaries in active operations. This has produced commercial visibility but also sustained controversy. Investigations have discussed the use of Elbit-related unmanned systems in Gaza and other theaters, and the company has faced protests at facilities in the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany. The company remains an active, publicly traded defense group with operations across multiple continents and a portfolio centered on sensors, unmanned platforms, communications, electronic warfare, avionics, and integrated battlefield systems.
- 2023
Bristol facility opens
[1]Elbit opens an advanced manufacturing and development facility in Bristol, United Kingdom.
- 2019
Iron Fist selected for Israeli platforms
[1]Israel’s Ministry of Defense selects Iron Fist for Eitan armored vehicles and D9 bulldozers.
- 2018
IMI Systems acquisition completed
[1]Elbit completes its acquisition of IMI Systems.
- 2016
Everysight is launched
[1]Elbit launches Everysight, a business developing augmented-reality glasses for cyclists.
- 2007
Tadiran Communications acquisition
[1]Elbit completes the acquisition of Tadiran Communications, expanding military communications capabilities.
- 2000
Merger with El-Op
[1]Elbit Systems merges with El-Op, combining defense systems and electro-optics.
- 1996
Corporate separation
[1]Elbit is divided into three independent companies, including Elbit Systems as the defense-electronics business.
- 1978
Initial public offering
[1]Elbit conducts an initial public offering on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
- 1970
Control Data enters the business
[1]Control Data Corporation agrees to acquire the Israeli government’s interest and distribute Elbit computers internationally.
- 1966
Elbit Computers is founded
[1]Elron Electronic Industries and Israel’s Ministry of Defense establish Elbit Computers Ltd. to develop military computers and electronics.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated international defense-technology supplier with strong Israeli military-program experience and broad capabilities in sensors, unmanned systems, communications, electronic warfare, and land platforms.
Unmanned aircraft
Hermes unmanned aircraft systems
The Hermes family is a group of remotely piloted aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications support, and, depending on configuration and customer, other military missions. The family is one of Elbit’s most internationally recognizable product lines and is operated by Israel and foreign customers.
Active protection system
Iron Fist
Iron Fist is an active-protection system designed to detect and defeat incoming anti-armor threats before they strike a vehicle. It is intended for armored platforms and was selected for Israeli Eitan vehicles and D9 armored bulldozers.
Unmanned aircraft system
Watchkeeper WK450
Watchkeeper is a British Army unmanned-aircraft program developed through the UAV Tactical Systems joint venture between Elbit and Thales. The WK450 combines an unmanned aircraft with ground-control, surveillance, and mission-support infrastructure produced in the United Kingdom.
Night vision
XACT night-vision systems
XACT is a family of lightweight night-vision and soldier-worn optical systems. Elbit’s UK subsidiary Instro Precision supplied XACT night-vision goggles to the British Armed Forces under contracts beginning in 2021.
Avionics and electro-optics
Helmet-mounted display systems
Elbit develops helmet-mounted displays and integrated aviation helmets that provide pilots with symbology, targeting information, and other mission data. The company has supplied such systems for military helicopter and aircraft programs, including US Army Apache applications.
Military communications
Tactical communications systems
Elbit produces tactical radios, secure communications, satellite-on-the-move equipment, and networked command systems for military users. These products support voice, data, battlefield networking, and mobile connectivity across land, air, and naval operations.
Naval systems
TRAPS sonar
The Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar system is a naval sensor developed through Elbit’s Canadian operations. GeoSpectrum delivered an initial version to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2018.
Controversies
2024
World Central Kitchen convoy attack
An Elbit Hermes 450 was reported as having been used during the attack on a marked World Central Kitchen aid convoy in Gaza, in which seven aid workers were killed. The incident generated international criticism and renewed debate over the use and accountability of Israeli-made unmanned systems.
2016
Drone-feed surveillance report
The Intercept reported that NSA and GCHQ had monitored live feeds from Israeli drones and related equipment used in missions over Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon. The report increased scrutiny of Elbit’s role as a supplier of unmanned systems.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021XACT night-vision supply program
United Kingdom
Instro Precision won a UK Ministry of Defence contract to supply XACT night-vision goggles, later followed by extensions.
Outcome. Expanded Elbit’s soldier-equipment business with the British Armed Forces.
- 2016Everysight augmented-reality launch
International
Elbit launched Everysight to develop augmented-reality smartglasses aimed initially at cyclists.
Outcome. Expanded the group’s technology activity beyond conventional defense programs.
- 2005Watchkeeper industrial program
United Kingdom
Elbit and Thales established UAV Tactical Systems to manufacture and support the Watchkeeper WK450 unmanned-aircraft program for the British Army, including local production and flight testing.
Outcome. Created a substantial UK unmanned-systems presence.
Brand decisions
2022
Sell Ferranti TechnologiesM&ABackground
Elbit faced sustained activism against its UK defense operations and reviewed its local business portfolio.
Action taken
Elbit sold Ferranti Technologies for £9 million.
Aftermath
The divestment ended Elbit’s ownership of the Oldham-based business while the wider UK operation continued.
Sale price. £9 million (2022)
2019
Iron Fist integration decisionProduct launchBackground
Israel’s Ministry of Defense sought an active-protection capability for new armored vehicles and heavy engineering platforms.
Action taken
The ministry selected Elbit’s Iron Fist for Eitan vehicles and D9 bulldozers.
Aftermath
Iron Fist became a significant Israeli land-systems program and an important reference product for Elbit’s armored-vehicle business.
2018
Acquire IMI SystemsM&ABackground
Elbit pursued greater scale in land systems, artillery, armored platforms, and military manufacturing.
Action taken
Elbit completed the acquisition of IMI Systems.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Elbit’s land-force and weapons-systems portfolio.
2000
Merge with El-OpM&ABackground
Elbit Systems sought to combine its defense-electronics and systems activities with El-Op’s established electro-optics business.
Action taken
The two companies merged, creating a larger integrated Israeli defense-electronics group.
Aftermath
The combined company became Israel’s largest nongovernmental defense-electronics business and broadened its sensor and avionics portfolio.
Recent events
Elbit Systems completes acquisition of International Submarine Engineering[3]
Reported:
Elbit Systems completed its acquisition of Canada-based International Submarine Engineering Ltd. (ISE), for a purchase price Elbit described as not material.
Elbit unveils Skylark 3 Hybrid drone system[4]
Reported:
Elbit Systems unveiled the Skylark 3 Hybrid Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems at the Singapore Airshow 2022.
Elbit Systems announces plan to vacate Oldham factory[5]
Reported:
Elbit Systems announced that it would vacate the Elbit Ferranti factory in Oldham, United Kingdom. The company said the sale was part of a UK restructuring strategy; Palestine Action claimed continued protest pressure contributed to the move.
Elbit Systems completes acquisition of Sparton[6]
Reported:
Elbit Systems announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, completed the $380 million acquisition of Sparton Corporation from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management. The closing followed receipt of required government and regulatory approvals.
Sources8 sources
- 1Elbit Systemsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Elbit Systems official websiteelbitsystems.com
- 3Elbit Systems完成对International Submarine Engineering的收购jpost.com
- 4埃尔比特发布Skylark 3 Hybrid无人机系统en.globes.co.il
- 5埃尔比特系统宣布计划撤出奥尔德姆工厂middleeasteye.net
- 6埃尔比特系统完成对Sparton的收购marinetechnologynews.com
- 7Elbit Systems U.S. Subsidiary Completes the Acquisition of Sparton Corporationprnewswire.com
- 8Israel’s Elbit acquires Canadian company focused on autonomous underwater systems - Breaking Defensebreakingdefense.com
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