Israeli defense company Elbit secures $175 million NATO contract

Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s leading defense companies, announced on Tuesday that it has secured a $175 million contract from an undisclosed European NATO member state. The agreement involves the supply of advanced Self-Protection Suites for the client’s Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft and Airbus H225M helicopters.

The deal, to be fulfilled over a five-year period, includes a provision to deliver Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) systems for another European nation’s fleet of Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft, further demonstrating Elbit’s role as a key partner in enhancing NATO’s defense capabilities.

Elbit Systems emphasized that the technologies would enhance the client nations’ defense capabilities.

“The state-of-the-art EW and DIRCM Self-Protection Suite, to be installed on both platforms, provides enhanced defense capabilities by autonomously detecting, analyzing, and countering a wide range of threats,” Elbit said in an official statement.

“The suite includes Elbit Systems’ advanced Digital Radar Warning Receiver, IR Missile Warning System (MWS), Laser Warning System (LWS), Countermeasure Dispenser System (CMDS), and the MUSIC family DIRCM System. Additionally, as part of the C-390 contract, Elbit Systems will provide its SPEAR Advanced ECM (AECM) Pod, which can be easily installed and transferred between aircraft on the flight line.”

Located in Haifa, in northern Israel, Elbit has emerged as a significant player in the global defense industry.

In addition to developing advanced drones, the company is a global exporter of EW technology.

“With our EW Self-Protection Suites installed on over 30 aircraft types and deployed across multiple countries, including several NATO members, Elbit Systems is recognized as a global leader in Electronic Warfare and DIRCM technology,” said Oren Sabag, general manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW.

“These new contracts further reinforce our global position in the area of airborne Self-Protection Suites,” he added.

Elbit Systems serves clients across the globe. Its British subsidiary, Elbit Systems UK, recently announced the successful completion of the delivery of the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) systems to the British Army after facilitating “over 12,000 hours of training for the British Armed Forces and NATO allies.”

The simulator technology platforms are designed to dramatically cut military expenses on munitions, fuel and complex logistics. Elbit has won other significant contracts in 2024.

In November, the company won a $127 million order to enhance the U.S. military’s defense capabilities.

In October, the Israeli Ministry of Defense signed a $500 million agreement with Elbit and Rafael Advanced Systems involving the production of the Iron Beam, the world’s first laser-based aerial defense interception system. 

In September, Elbit announced it was in the final stages of developing the SIGMA, the world’s first fully automated howitzer.

In July, the defense company unveiled the futuristic artillery piece, Roem, a high-tech weapon dubbed “the first cannon in the world capable of automatic firing.”

In May, Elbit sold its advanced Red Sky air defense system to an undisclosed country. The system is reportedly worth about $48 million.