Ondas Collects Israeli Tech Companies and Targets the IDF as an Anchor Customer

The appointment of Dadi Barnea, former director of the Mossad, as Global President and Chairman of Ondas Defense marks the peak of the U.S. company’s strategic drive to become a major player in the Israeli and international defense markets. Barnea joined only two months after leaving the Mossad. His appointment received full approval from the agency’s legal counsel after it determined there was no direct connection between the Mossad and Ondas. At the same time, Brig. Gen. (res.) Yehuda Almakayis, former head of the R&D Directorate at MAFAT, is expected to join as a vice president roughly ten months after leaving the Defense Ministry.

Dadi Barnea, former director of the Mossad, Global President and Chairman of Ondas Defense

Ondas, traded on Nasdaq at a valuation of about $4.3 billion, has built a portfolio of more than 15 companies over the past two years, most of them Israeli, financed in part by an anonymous investor whose identity the company refuses to disclose. The company presents itself as constructing a “system of systems” — a unified platform of autonomous ground, aerial and subsurface capabilities designed to offer military customers a complete solution. The IDF and the Israeli Ministry of Defense are central targets in this strategy.

From conversations we held with sources in several of Ondas’ portfolio companies, the rapid integration of Israeli technologies and personnel is viewed as a deliberate effort to create an operational advantage that positions the group as a preferred supplier for the IDF and other defense forces.

Building the Portfolio Through Acquisitions

The list of Israeli companies acquired illustrates the systematic construction. Airobotics develops fully autonomous drone systems, including the Optimus platform for persistent intelligence collection and the Iron Drone Raider — an autonomous interceptor drone designed to neutralize hostile drones. Roboteam manufactures tactical unmanned ground vehicles for explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence and hazardous environments. Sentrycs specializes in Cyber-over-RF technology that detects, identifies and takes control of hostile drones at the protocol level without electronic jamming. BIRD Aerosystems develops airborne missile protection systems for aircraft and helicopters, including laser-based DIRCM solutions. Omnisys provides AI-powered Battle Resource Optimization software for real-time multi-domain decision-making. INDO focuses on heavy military engineering equipment. Apeiro Motion develops advanced ground robotics and tethered UAV systems. SPO (Smart Precision Optics) produces precision optical components for missile defense, lasers and electro-optic sensors. 4M Defense specializes in demining, land intelligence and AI-driven subsurface mapping. Insight Intelligent Sensors supplies electro-optic sensors and AI-based identification. Zico Engineering contributes rapid engineering development, optics and integration capabilities.

Expanding Influence and Facing Scrutiny

Alongside the acquisitions, Ondas is attempting to gain control of mPrest, the Rafael subsidiary that develops the command-and-control systems for Iron Dome, in a deal valued at around $200 million. The transaction is currently frozen pending review by the Defense Ministry’s security directorate due to the high classification levels involved.

The move is not limited to technology. Ondas has also recruited a series of former senior executives from Rafael and the defense establishment, including former Rafael CEO Yoav Har-Even, former R&D vice presidents and a strategy vice president. The rapid transitions, often with limited cooling-off periods, have raised questions within the defense system regarding oversight mechanisms. The Defense Ministry stated that it examines each case on its merits while safeguarding national security interests.

Positioning for the IDF as Anchor Customer

Ondas makes no secret of its intention: to build systemic capability that will turn it into a preferred supplier for the IDF and international customers by leveraging the knowledge, connections and operational experience of senior Israeli defense figures.