What is Elbit Systems? Israel’s Drone, Artillery and Electronic Warfare Giant, Explained
Image: Elbit Systems press archive (Hermes 900)
Israel’s Quiet Defense Powerhouse
Founded in 1966 as an electronics components manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd is today Israel’s largest private-sector defense company. Headquartered in Haifa, Elbit has absorbed numerous Israeli defense firms — including state-owned IMI Systems (acquired 2018) — and operates production sites in 30+ countries. The 2024 Defense News Top 100 ranks it 21st; SIPRI lists it as the world’s 25th largest arms maker.
Elbit’s business model differs from the major U.S. and European primes: it does not manufacture a single mega-platform (carrier, tank). Instead, it specialises in defense systems integration — UAVs, helicopter avionics, artillery, electronic warfare and digital infantry. Its flagship products are the Hermes 900 UAV family, the PULS artillery system, the SPICE smart-bomb family, the ATMOS 2000 wheeled SPH, the SkyShield C-UAS system and helicopter electronic warfare suites. 2023 revenue: $6.03 billion, with 85% from exports.
At a Glance
Corporate Structure and Industry Position
Elbit’s organization differs from major holding-style defense primes: it is not anchored to a single state customer. With more than 85% export ratio, Elbit is positioned as a global “Israeli technology” brand. Divisions include Aerospace (UAV, simulators, EW suites), C4I and Cyber (C2, tactical IT), ISTAR and EW (electronic warfare, surveillance), Land (artillery, IFV, ammunition), Elbit Systems of America (Pentagon access) and IMI Systems (munitions).
Elbit’s most dominant position is in the UAV segment: the Hermes 900 family is treated as the “Israeli standard” benchmark in the global UAV market, comparable to how the Bayraktar TB2 anchors the Turkish UAV brand. In artillery, the PULS system is becoming the MLRS replacement of choice in Europe; Turkey’s ROKETSAN TRG-300 and SR-7 rockets follow a similar modular concept.
In Turkish defense history, Elbit holds a unique place. The 2008 cancellation of the Heron UAV contract — over Israeli compliance issues — directly accelerated Türkiye’s indigenous UAV program (Bayraktar TB2, ANKA, AKINCI). Today, Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI compete directly with Hermes 450 and Heron TP. Türkiye remains one of the few countries actively challenging Israeli UAV dominance in the export market.
Key Products Table
| Product | Type | Role | First Shown | Operators | Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermes 900 | MALE UAV | ISR, targeting, armed | 2009 | Israel, Chile, Switzerland, Brazil, Thailand, Germany (leased) | High-volume export |
| Hermes 450 | Tactical UAV | ISR, light armed | 1998 | Israel, UK (Watchkeeper), Brazil, Singapore | Export |
| SkyStriker | Loitering munition | Anti-personnel/light armor | 2014 | Israel, India (Adani license) | Limited (classified) |
| PULS | Modular MLRS | 122-300 mm multi-pod fires | 2018 | Israel, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Romania | Fast export growth (HIMARS rival) |
| SPICE 250/1000/2000 | GPS+EO/IR guidance kit | Precision air-to-ground | 2003-2018 | Israel, India, Greece, Germany, UAE | High-volume export |
| ATMOS 2000 | 155 mm wheeled SPH | Mobile fires | 2003 | Israel, Thailand, Cameroon, Philippines, Bangladesh | Export (rival to T-155 Fırtına) |
| Iron Fist APS | Active Protection System | Anti-ATGM/RPG defense | 2009 | Merkava, M2 Bradley, CV90 | Export (Trophy rival) |
| SkyShield C-UAS | Counter-drone system | Detect/jam/capture UAV | 2018 | Israel, U.S., UK and many | Fast growth |
| HMCS | Helmet-Mounted Cueing System | F-35, F-16, F-15 | 1990s-current | U.S., Israel, Greece, F-35 operators | High-volume |
| EW Suites | Helicopter/jet EW & self-protection | Passive/active threat defense | 2000s | Israel, NATO partners | High-volume |
| Dominator turret | 30/40 mm RWS turret | IFV main weapon | 2010s | M2 Bradley AMPV, various | Active export |
Detailed Product Descriptions
Hermes 900 — Israel’s Flagship MALE UAV
The Hermes 900 is the scaled-up successor to the Hermes 450, unveiled in 2009. With a 1,180 kg MTOW, 30-hour endurance and 350 kg payload, it competes directly with the MQ-9 Reaper. Weapons include Hellfire, Spike NLOS, Whip Shot and Rafael-designed guided munitions. Operators: Israel, Chile, Brazil, Thailand, Switzerland; Germany leased units in 2022 to bridge a Bundeswehr UAV gap. Its closest market competitor outside the U.S. is the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 / AKINCI family.
Hermes 450 — Veteran of the UAV Era
In service since 1998, the Hermes 450 is Israel’s most-flown UAV in operations over Lebanon and Gaza. The UK builds the licensed Watchkeeper WK450 variant; Brazil and Singapore are also operators. Mostly used unarmed for ISR.
SkyStriker — Kamikaze Loitering Munition
SkyStriker is a 35 kg-warhead loitering munition with 2-hour endurance. India produces a licensed version through Adani Defence. Türkiye’s competitors include STM KARGU/ALPAGU and ROKETSAN İHASAVAR.
PULS — Europe’s HIMARS Alternative
PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) is a modular MLRS: the same vehicle, by swapping pods, can fire 122 mm Grad-class rockets, 300 mm long-range rockets (up to 300 km with EXTRA) or a Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missile. Operators: Germany (5), Netherlands (20), Denmark (8), Spain (12), Romania, Israel. PULS’s structural advantage versus HIMARS is multi-caliber modularity within a single launcher.
SPICE Smart-Bomb Family
The SPICE kit adds GPS+EO/IR guidance to standard Mk-82/Mk-83/Mk-84 bombs. SPICE 250 (113 kg), 1000 (450 kg) and 2000 (900 kg) variants exist. India used SPICE 2000 in the 2019 Balakot strike. Comparable Turkish systems: TUSAŞ HGK/KGK.
ATMOS 2000 — The Original Wheeled SPH
The ATMOS 2000 155 mm L/52 wheeled SPH has been exported since 2003 to Thailand, Cameroon, the Philippines and Bangladesh. Competes directly with CAESAR, RCH 155 and T-155 Fırtına in third markets. Features auto-loading and on-the-move fire capability.
Iron Fist APS — The Compact Alternative to Trophy
Iron Fist APS is more compact than Rafael’s Trophy, making it suitable for medium-weight platforms like the M2 Bradley AMPV, CV90, and Eitan. The U.S. Army selected Iron Fist for the M2 Bradley in 2024.
SkyShield C-UAS — The Drone Era’s Answer
SkyShield combines radar (RPS-42), EO/IR sensors, RF analysers and jammers. It emphasises soft-kill — degrading the drone link and seizing control rather than destroying. Deployed by the U.S., UK, Germany and many others. Turkish competitors include ASELSAN İHTAR, ASELSAN İHA SAVAR, HAVELSAN KASK.
Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
Elbit is one of the U.S. co-contractors on the F-35 helmet. Earlier HMCS systems for F-16 and F-15 became NATO-standard kit. Turkey’s ASELSAN HEADS program is the indigenous successor.
Export and Portfolio Comparison
| Product | Standout Feature | Comparable Systems | Portfolio Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermes 900 | 30h endurance, 350 kg payload | MQ-9 Reaper, AKINCI, ANKA-3, Heron TP | Flagship |
| Hermes 450 | Classic mid-class ISR | Bayraktar TB2, Watchkeeper, ANKA | Steady revenue |
| SkyStriker | 35 kg warhead, 2h loiter | KARGU, ALPAGU, Switchblade 600 | Loitering market entry |
| PULS | Modular pods, up to 300 km | HIMARS, MARS II, TRG-300, ATACMS | Fastest-growing product |
| SPICE | GPS+EO/IR dual-mode | JDAM, HGK/KGK, Paveway IV | High-volume export |
| ATMOS 2000 | Wheeled 155 mm, auto-loader | CAESAR, RCH 155, T-155 Fırtına | Old-to-new transition |
| Iron Fist | Compact APS for medium platforms | Trophy, AKKOR, StrikeShield | Bradley win is major |
| SkyShield C-UAS | Soft-kill drone capture | ASELSAN İHTAR, Anduril, EDGE | New fast growth |
| HMCS | Embedded in F-35 helmet | Striker II, JHMCS | Niche but critical |
| EW Suites | Active/passive self-protection | ASELSAN HAVA SOJ, BAE ALQ-239 | Helicopter sub-market lead |
Portfolio Assessment
Elbit’s strategic advantage is portfolio width: there is an Elbit product for every component of the modern battlefield. An Israeli UAV customer can buy a Hermes 900 from Elbit, the ground control station from Elbit, the EW suite from Elbit, the pilot helmet from Elbit, even the howitzer module from Elbit. This single-vendor end-to-end delivery approach is conceptually similar to Türkiye’s ROKETSAN+TUSAŞ+ASELSAN integrated model, except consolidated under one company roof.
From a Turkish defense industry perspective, Elbit is both strategic rival and technological reference. The post-2008 indigenous UAV push transformed Türkiye into one of the few countries genuinely contesting Israeli UAV dominance abroad — Bayraktar TB2 in Ukraine, AKINCI in Pakistan, ANKA-3’s NATO trajectory. In artillery, the Turkish counter to PULS is the ROKETSAN T-300 KASIRGA/KAPLAN family; against SPICE there is HGK/KGK; against SkyShield there is ASELSAN İHTAR; against Iron Fist there is ASELSAN AKKOR.
Notable Recent Developments
- 2024 — Germany PULS contract: 5 vehicles selected over HIMARS.
- 2024 — U.S. M2 Bradley Iron Fist: APS selection finalised.
- 2025 — India Hermes 900 licensed expansion: Adani Defence widens agreement.
- 2023 — Germany Hermes 900 lease: Bundeswehr UAV gap.
- 2025 — Romania PULS: Additional purchase in modernisation package.
Sources
- Elbit Systems Annual Report 2024 (NASDAQ: ESLT)
- SIPRI Top 100 Arms-Producing Companies (2024)
- Defense News Top 100 (2024)
- Janes Defence Weekly
- Envanter Medya — Iron Dome (Israeli air defense ecosystem)
- Envanter Medya — TROPHY APS (Iron Fist rival)
This article is part of the Envanter Medya Defense News Top 100 company profile series.
