 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 1966; 60 years ago (1966) |
| Headquarters | , Israel |
Key people | Michael Federmann (chairman) Bezhalel Machlis [he] (CEO andpresident) |
| Revenue |  US$6.83 billion (2024) |
| US$489 million (2024) | |
| US$321 million (2024) | |
| Total assets | US$10.9 billion (2024) |
| Total equity | US$3.28 billion (2024) |
Number of employees | 18,407 (2024) |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | elbitsystems |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based internationalmilitary technology company anddefense contractor. Founded in 1966 byElron, Elbit Systems is the primary provider of theIsraeli military's land-based equipment andunmanned aerial vehicles. It is an important company within thedefense industry of Israel.
Elbit Systems also has subsidiary factories around the world, and sells its products to various countries' militaries. At its subsidiary factories in the United Kingdom and the United States, the company has faced protests for its support of the Israeli military in the ongoingIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. The company has also beendivested from by international investment firms due to its involvement in the conflict.
In 2022, Elbit Systems had 18,407 employees, most of them based in Israel.[2] In a 2025investor relations presentation, Elbit Systems reported having 20,000 employees, with 3,200 of them based in theUnited States.[3] Elbit Systems' shares are traded on theTel Aviv andNasdaq stock exchanges.
Elbit Systems was founded in 1966 byElron Electronic Industries and the Israel'sMinistry of Defense, under the name 'Elbit Computers Ltd.',[4] to develop computers and electronics for theIsraeli military, its first product was aMinicomputer named 'Elbit 100'.[5][6][7] The Minicomputer was successfully sold for civilian use,[8] and in July 1970 the American companyControl Data Corporation entered into an agreement to acquire Israel government's interest in 'Elbit Computers' for US$1 million.[9] Control Data Corporation marketed and distributed Elbit Computers' around the world.[10]
In 1978 Elbit had aninitial public offering on theTel Aviv Stock Exchange and continued to develop Minicomputers, including a model called ANAT, that was developed and sold in corporation with German companyNixdorf Computer.[11][12] During the early 1980s the company refocused on defense electronics and developed systems and sub-components for theLavi fighter jet and for theMerkava tank.[13] The company also changed its name from 'Elbit Computers Ltd.' to 'Elbit Ltd.' and Control Data Corporation sold its stake in the company.
In 1996, Elbit was spun off into three independent companies:Elbit Medical Imaging, Elbit Systems, and Elbit.[14][15] From 1999 to 2000,Elscint (another affiliate of Elron) and Elbit Medical Imaging sold their imaging activities to General Electric Medical Systems and Picker. Elbit Systems was created as the defense electronics arm of the company. Elbit, which focused on communications activities, led the consortium that foundedPartner Communications Company in 1999.
In 2000, Elbit Systems merged with El-Op (then controlled by current Elbit chairman,Michael Federmann),[16] creating the largest non-governmental defense electronics company in Israel. Elron sold its shares in Elbit Systems for approximately $197 million in 2004.[17] Following the merger with El-Op, Federmann become the largest shareholder of the combined group.[citation needed] Following its merger, Elbit acquiredElisra, assets ofIsrael Military Industries' Aircraft Systems Division, and Mikal Ltd.[a][18] Elbit subsequently announced a cash tender offer for the 12.15% remainder of ITL Optronics Ltd held by the public.[19]
In 2002, Elbit was merged into Elron.[20]
In 2006, Elbit acquired 20% ofChip PC Technologies, a developer and manufacturer of client solutions for server-based computing.[21] In 2016, Elbit launchedEverysight, a developer and manufacturer of anaugmented realitysmartglasses for cyclists, founded in 2016.[22][23]
In 2016,The Intercept reported that, starting in 2008, the USNational Security Agency and UKGCHQ had beentapping into live feeds from Elbit drones (among other Israeli air force equipment) as they were flown on missions by the Israeli military and air force against targets in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon.[24]
In November 2018, Elbit completed its acquisition ofIMI Systems.[25]
In 2022, Elbit reported having 18,407 total employees, with most of them based in Israel. It reported 3,675 US employees.[2]
On September 3, 2009, theGovernment Pension Fund of Norway's ethical council decided to sell the fund's stocks in Elbit due to the company's supply of surveillance systems for theIsraeli West Bank barrier.[26] At a press conference to announce the decision,Minister of FinanceKristin Halvorsen said "We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law".[27] The Norwegian Ambassador to Israel,Hans Jacob Biørn Lian, was called to a meeting at theIsraeli Foreign Ministry where the decision was protested.[27]
In January 2010,Danske Bank added Elbit to the list of companies that fail its Socially Responsible Investment policy. A bank spokesman noted that it was acting in the interests of its customers by not "placing their money in companies that violate international standards".[28][29] The Danish financial watchdogDanWatch placed Elbit on its ethicalblacklist in 2011.[30] In 2014, one of Denmark's largestpension fund administrators PKA Ltd announced it will no longer consider investing in Elbit, stating "TheICJ stated that the barrier only serves military purposes and violates Palestinian human rights. Therefore we have looked at whether companies produce custom-designed products to the wall and thus has a particular involvement in repressive activities."[29]
In March 2010, a Swedishpension fund, not wanting to be associated with companies violating international treaties, boycotted Elbit Systems for its involvement in the construction of Israel's West Bank barrier wall.[31]
In December 2018,HSBC divested from Elbit[32] following Elbit's acquisition ofIMI Systems. HSBC cited IMI's manufacturing ofcluster bombs, which violated the bank's ethics policy of not investing in companies linked to the manufacturing or marketing of cluster munition.[33]
In 2019,Axa partially disinvested from Elbit Systems following pressure from theBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[32][34][35] The move followed several years of campaigning by NGOs, including an April 2018 petition launched bySumOfUs that received 140,000 signatures. Axa "quietly reduce[d]" its investments in Elbit and Israeli banks.[32] Axa remains indirectly invested in Elbit and Israeli banks through anon-controlling interest in its former subsidiaryAlliance Bernstein.[32][34]
Reporting inThe Guardian showed attempted coordination between Elbit and theEmbassy of Israel with theHome Office,Attorney General for England and Wales andCrown Prosecution Service regarding the prosecution ofPalestine Action activists, dating back to April 2022.[36] In 2024, CPS used powers under theTerrorism Act to detain activists without charges.[37]
In 2025, following a sustained campaign of direct action by groups, includingPalestine Action, which targeted their offices with protests and occupations, bothAllianz andAviva terminated their insurance contracts with Elbit's UK subsidiaries. Allianz ended its coverage of Elbit Systems UK, while Aviva ceased insuring UAV Engines.[38][39][40]
Elbit Systems and its various subsidiaries provide various technologies for military command, control, communications,intelligence surveillance, andreconnaissance purposes. The company producesunmanned aircraft systems (UAS), electro-optics hardware,electronic warfare,signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems, and radio and communications products.[citation needed]
Elbit Systems is the largest Israeli military manufacturer and produces 85% of theIsrael Defense Force's land-based equipment as well as 85% of the drones used by theIsraeli Air Force.[41] Elbit advertises that its equipment has been battle-tested by the IDF in operations in Gaza and the West Bank.[42] Elbit's drones have been reportedly involved in multiple incidents involving civilian deaths.[43] While Israel does not officially acknowledge that its drones are used to carry out strikes in Gaza or elsewhere, a 2016 report published byThe Intercept suggested that Israel has used attack drones in fatal attacks.[24]
In August 2019, Elbit Systems won anIsrael Ministry of Defense contract to install theIron Fistactive protection system on the IDF's newEitan AFV and the IDF's fleet ofarmored D9 bulldozers.[44]
An Elbit Hermes 450 drone was used in the 2024World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack.[45][46]
Israel supplies Azerbaijan advanced military equipment and helps trainits army. As a part of the cooperation between the two states, Elbit Systems opened an office in Azerbaijan in 2011, with plans to build a plant for the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles.[47] In 2023, it was reported that Elbit (along with other Israeli defense manufacturers) had played an extensive role in discreetly arming the Azerbaijani army for theNagorno-Karabakh conflict[48] that culminated in accusations of an Armenian genocide.[49]
In April 2021, theAustralian Army announced that Elbit's battlefield management system would be withdrawn from use with short notice, effective May 15, 2021. TheAustralian Broadcasting Corporation reported that this was due to concerns regarding the Elbit system's security.[50] AnAustralian Financial Review columnist stated that the security problems comprised "a 'backdoor' security vulnerability reportedly uncovered by theAustralian Signals Directorate".[51] TheAustralian Defence Magazine reported that the system had failed two security milestones in 2020.[52] Elbit denied that the system posed any security risks.[50]
Despite previous concerns, the Australian Army made a US$600 million contract with Elbit Systems in 2024.[53]
On July 1, 2003, Elbit acquired the Belgian companyOIP Sensor Systems.[54]
In 2001, Elbit Systems Group completed its purchase of Aeroeletronica, a Brazilian company in the defense industry.[55] In January 2011, Elbit announced that it had bought two additional Brazilian companies: Ares Aeroespecial e Defesa and Periscopio Equipamentos Optronicos.[56] In April 2011, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturerEmbraer entered into a strategic agreement withAEL Sistemas S.A, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems. According to officials from the two companies, one of the primary goals of the Embraer-majority joint venture was introduce the Elbit SystemsHermes 450 UAV into the service of theBrazilian Air Force.[57]
In May 2025, theInvestigative Journalism Foundation reported that Elbit Systems had offered to sellOntario drones to combatforest fires.[58]
In March 2010, a $28-million contract for Hermes 450 UAVs was suspended by the Colombian government after media reports based on anonymous letters alleged that Colombian officials had been bribed.[59][60] The Israeli Ministry of Defense investigated and found that the letters likely came fromIsrael Aerospace Industries, a competitor that lost the tender.[59] The incident led to a review of the regulations governing overseas competition between Israeli defense companies.[59]
On December 6, 2017, theCitizen Lab reported that Ethiopian dissidents and journalists in the US, UK, and other countries were targeted by sophisticated commercial spyware, sold and operated by Cyberbit, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems.[61][62] Ronald Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab, said "the findings raised questions about the company's human rights due-diligence practices and processes for preventing misuse of its software."[63] In a reply to an inquiry fromHuman Rights Watch on the topic, Cyberbit did not deny selling this kind of technology, and rejected responsibility for its possible misuse on its customers.[64]
On June 19, 2011, Elbit announced that its subsidiary Elisra Electronic Systems Ltd. was awarded a contract valued at approximately €5 million to supply hundreds of units of its AN/PRC-684Personal Locator Beacon to theFrench Ministry of Defense, equipping theFrench Air Force,Army,Navy and DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement).[65]
Elbit Systems bought the radio communication division of the formerTelefunken. In 2020, it became Elbit Systems Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. For theGerman military, Elbit produces theE-LynXSDR radio system, night vision and thermal imaging devices, andDirectional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) for theA400M, radar warning receivers, and EW controllers for theCH-53GS/GE.[66] In 2025, Elbit Germany saw several protests such as a protest camp in April, banners hung on theUlm Minster in July,[67] demonstrations in August demanding the closure of Elbit’s German locations, and a break-in and vandalism in September.[68]
In May 2021, an agreement was reached after agovernment-to-government negotiation for the establishment of theInternational Flight Training Center within theKalamata Air Base premises inKalamata, Greece. The €1.375 billion deal includes a 22-yearpublic-private partnership with Elbit Systems to modernize Greece's pilot training capabilities.[69][70]
On June 22, 2011, Elbit announced that it was awarded a three-year, US$15 million contract by Elettronica S.p.A. to participate in a program to supply the ELT/572 DIRCM system for installation on various platforms of theItalian Air Force, including theC130J,C27J andAW101.[71]
In March 2023, Elbit entered a strategic partnership with Itochu Aviation and Nippon Aircraft Supply. Itochu ended the partnership in February 2024 on advisement from Japan's foreign ministry following theICJ provisional order inSouth Africa's genocide case against Israel.[72]
Elbit won its first contract in the Philippines for the supply of upgraded armored personnel carriers to the Philippine military in June 2014. The upgrade included 25-mm unmanned turrets, 12.7-mm remote controlled weapon stations (, and fire control systems for 90-mm turrets.[73][74] In 2015, theArmed Forces of the Philippines received 114 M113 tracked APCs from the United States,[75] with remote control weapons systems designed by Elbit.[76]
On October 23, 2020, Elbit won contracts to produce 18 SabrahASCOD Light Tanks and 10Pandur II Tank Destroyers along with 1 ASCOD 2 Armored Command Vehicle, 1 ASCOD, and 2 Armored Recovery Vehicles, as well as another contract to supply 28IvecoVBTP-MR Guarani APCs for thePhilippine Army's Light Tank and APC Acquisition Projects.[77]
Elbit Systems' activities in Romania, which started in 1996, are primarily carried out through its wholly owned Romanian subsidiaries, Elbit Systeme S.A., A-E Electronics S.A, Elmet International SRL and Simultec SRL, which have approximately 400 employees.[78] On May 24, 2011, Elbit announced that its Elisra Electronic Systems Ltd. Romanian subsidiary was awarded, in cooperation with other Romanian companies and led by the Romanian Aeronautical Industry, a four-year contract valued at approximately $18.6 million to upgrade theRomanian Air Forces'C-130 transport aircraft.[78]
On June 17, 2021, Elbit Systems announced the establishment of its Swedish subsidiary Elbit Systems Sweden.[79] On January 13, 2022, Elbit Systems Sweden was awarded with a contract to supply combat management systems to theRoyal Swedish Navy.[80][81] On January 24, 2023, Elbit Systems Sweden announced that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $48 million to equip theSwedish Armed Forces with new mobile tactical communications stations.[82][83][84][85] According to the contract, Elbit Systems Sweden is to develop and deliver two Technical High Mobility Shelter (THMS) variants, the RL HYTT 24A and RL HYTT 24B.[85][84]
Elbit activities in the United Kingdom started in 1995, when it acquired 'Alvis UAV Engines Limited' fromAlvis plc.[86] A company that was founded in 1992 by engineer David Garside, to developWankel engines for use in UAVs.[87] Garside has been developing Wankel engines since the late 1960s forBSA motorcycles and laterNorton Motorcycle Company,[88] and had the idea of using the engines originally developed for motorcycles, for UAV's that required small but powerful source of power.[87] Elbit, through its subsidiary 'Silver Arrow', was the company's only major customer when it was acquired.[86][89] Since then the company has become a major global supplier of UAV Engines.[89]
Its subsidiary Elbit Systems UK Ltd. was incorporated on September 24, 2004, as a holding company for Elbit's activities in the United Kingdom.[90] The company was incorporated after Elbit and French companyThales Group won a tender (code-named "Watchkeeper program") to supply theBritish Army with unmanned aerial vehicles.[91] The tender condition included a requirement to set up a local manufacturing facility for the program.[92] Therefore, at the end of 2005, a joint venture company was established with the Thales Group. The joint venture, named UAV Tactical Systems Ltd (U-TacS), was based inLeicester and manufactured theWatchkeeper WK450.[93] A flight testing facility was also set up atParcAberporth in Wales.[94]
In 2007, Elbit acquired Ferranti Technologies, based inOldham, Greater Manchester, a company that was part of the historicFerranti group and provided solutions in the aerospace and defence markets.[95] Following the2014 Gaza War, activists fromPalestine Action and other groups began protesting outside Ferranti's factory, primarily against Elbit's production of various bombs and other military technology used by the Israeli Air Force and resulting in Palestinian casualties.[96] Activists particularly cited Elbit's production of the Hermes drone, which was involved in the deaths of at least four Palestinian children.[43]
In February 2016, Affinity Flying Services Limited, a joint venture between Elbit andKellog, Brown and Root, was awarded a £500 million contract to manage the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS) program for theMinistry of Defence to deliver aircrew training for over an 18-year period.[97]
During the2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, on May 19, 2021, four members of Palestine Action dressed in redboiler suits and climbed onto the roof of an Elbit Systems-owned drone factory in Meridian Business Park,Leicester.[98][99][100] Theoccupation lasted 6 days, and a total of 10 arrests were made forconspiracy to commit criminal damage and aggravatedtrespass.[98] Palestine Action group has staged similar occupations of Elbit Systems sites inBristol,[101]Oldham in collaboration withExtinction Rebellion,[102][103][104] andTamworth[105] in collaboration withAnimal Rebellion.[106]
Elbit sold its Ferranti subsidiary in 2022 for £9 million, approximately £6 million less than it had purchased it for fifteen years prior. Activists attributed the sale to their years-longdirect action campaign against Elbit's presence in Oldham.[96]
Elbit opened an advanced manufacturing and development facility in Bristol in July 2023.[107] As of 2023, Elbit has multiple UK subsidiaries across sixteen sites in the country, with more than 680 employees.[108] Beginning in October, when theGaza war began, several Elbit factories were protested by activists with Palestine Action. At the Instro Precision Factory inSandwich, Kent, more than 100 people blocked the entrances. InLeicester, several activists climbed on the roof of the Howmet Fastening Systems factory, and a single protester chained themself to the entrance of the U-TacS factory.[109]
In 2024, Elbit announced the sale of the Elite KL factory inTamworth.[110]
In September 2024, the London headquarters ofAPCO Worldwide was targeted byPalestine Action over its representation of the UK interests of Elbit Systems.[111][112]
In late August 2025, Elbit Systems was described byPrivate Eye as "close" to a gaining a 15 year, £2 billion Ministry of Defence contract training 60,000 British soldiers annually.[113][114][115]
Elbit owns several companies in the United States through its American subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America (ESA). ESA operates under a special security agreement with aproxy board, allowing it to function independently and separately from its parent company.[116][117] Elbit Systems of America (ESA) is incorporated in Delaware.[118] In 2022, Elbit Systems reported having 3,675 US-based employees.[2]
In 2014, Elbit Systems won a two-year, $12.7 million contract for the supply and provision of Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets for theUS Army helicopter fleet.[119] On March 22, 2018, Elbit Systems andUniversal Avionics announced that Elbit would be "completing the acquisition of the privately owned U.S. company Universal Avionics Systems Corporation [UASC] through an asset acquisition agreement."[This quote needs a citation] In 2019, Elbit Systems purchased the night vision business ofHarris Corporation for $350 million. The purchase was conditional on Harris Corporation's merger withL3 Technologies.[120][121] In April 2019, Elbit Systems announced that it had partnered with DA-Group to produce and advertise its anti-jamming devices forglobal navigation satellite systems.[122]
In response to theGaza war, protesters chained themselves to the entrance of Elbit's office inCambridge, Massachusetts, on October 12.[123] Later that month, protesters fromPalestine Action US claimed to have completely shut down the company's operations in an incident resulting in nine arrests.[124] The Cambridge office closed in August 2024 following weekly protests.[125]
In November 2023, three protesters were arrested for vandalism at an Elbit location inMerrimack, New Hampshire.[126] According to anNBC News report, the "Merrimack Fire Department was also called to the scene due to a report of smoke coming from the roof [...] at least one of the main lobby doors had been locked shut with a bicycle lock."[127] Elbit's institutional shareholders were also subject to pro-Palestine protests with demands for companies targeted, includingBNY Mellon andJPMorgan Chase, to divest from the company and sell their stock in the Israeli defense company.[128][129]
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ELBIT COMPUTERS LTD. HAS MOVED UP TO THE NUMBER TWO SPOT AMONG SMALL COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS ON THE CONTINENT, with the receipt of their 45th order for an Elbit 100 computer (first released early in 1968).
"There's a good chance that we are looking at the first images of an armed Israeli drone in the public domain," said Chris Woods, author of Sudden Justice, a history of drone warfare. "They've gone to extraordinary lengths to suppress information on weaponized drones."
A multi-role high performance tactical UAS and the primary platform of the IDF in counter-terror operations, Hermes 450 is a mature and combat proven UAS with over 300,000 operational flight hours
A secret Israeli military police report offers direct evidence that four Palestinian children were killed by missiles fired from an armed Israeli drone. [..] Later that same day, at about 3:30 p.m., an Israeli Hermes 450 surveillance drone hovering over a beach in Gaza City transmitted images of eight figures clambering from the strand onto a jetty.
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today it has acquired Optronics Instruments & Products NV (OIP), based in Oudenaarde, Belgium, from Delft Instruments N.V. of the Netherlands, through Elbit's subsidiary, electro-optic systems developer Elop Electro-Optics Industries Ltd.
| International | |
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| National | |
