Company type | Public |
---|---|
Industry | Defence Electronics |
Founded | 1966 |
Headquarters | , Israel |
Key people | Michael Federmann (Chairman) Bezhalel Machlis (CEO and President) |
Revenue | US$5.28 billion (2021) |
US$419 million (2021) | |
US$275 million (2021) | |
Total assets | US$9.32 billion (2021) |
Total equity | US$2.55 billion (2021) |
Number of employees | 17,787 (2021) |
Subsidiaries |
|
Website | www |
Footnotes / references [1] |
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based international defence electronics company engaged primarily in military technology and defence contracting.
Elbit Systems and its various subsidiaries provide various technologies for military command, control, communications, intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes. The company produces unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), electro-optics hardware, electronic warfare, signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems, and radio and communications products. In 2016, Elbit Systems had approximately 13,895 employees.[2] Elbit Systems' shares are traded on the Tel Aviv and NASDAQ stock exchanges.
Elbit Systems was founded in 1966 by Elron Electronic Industries under the name Elbit Computers. It developed various technologies for the Israeli military, including for the Lavi fighter aircraft and for the Merkava tank.[3][third-party source needed]
In 1996, Elbit was spun off into three independent companies: Elbit Medical Imaging, Elbit Systems, and Elbit. 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 defence electronics arm of the company. Elbit, which focused on communications activities, led the consortium that founded Partner Communications Company in 1999. In 2002, Elbit was merged into Elron.
In 2000, Elbit Systems merged with El-Op (then controlled by current Elbit chairman, Michael Federmann),[4] creating the largest non-governmental defense electronics company in Israel. Elron sold its shares in Elbit Systems for approximately $197 million in 2004.[5][dead link] Following the merger with El-Op, Federmann become the largest shareholder of the combined group.[citation needed] Following its merger, Elbit acquired Elisra, assets of Israel Military Industries’ Aircraft Systems Division, and Mikal Ltd.[a][6] Elbit subsequently announced a cash tender offer for the 12.15% remainder of ITL Optronics Ltd held by the public.[7]
In 2016, The Intercept reported that, starting in 2008, the US National Security Agency and UK GCHQ had been tapping 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.[8]
On 6 December 2017, the Citizen 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.[9][10] 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."[11] In a reply to an inquiry from Human Rights Watch on the topic, Cyberbit did not deny selling this kind of technology, and rejected responsibility for its possible misuse on its customers.[12]
In April of 2021, the Australian Army announced that Elbit's battlefield management system would be withdrawn from use with short notice, effective May 15, 2021. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that this was due to concerns regarding the Elbit system's security.[13] An Australian Financial Review columnist stated that the security problems comprised "a 'backdoor' security vulnerability reportedly uncovered by the Australian Signals Directorate".[14] The Australian Defence Magazine reported that the system had failed two security milestones in 2020.[15] Elbit denied that the system posed any security risks.[13]
Elbit Systems is the largest Israeli military manufacturer and produces 85% of the Israel Defense Force's military technology as well as 85% of the drones used by the Israeli Air Force. Elbit advertises that its equipment has been battle-tested by the IDF[18] in operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Elbit's drones have been involved in multiple incidents that involving the death of children and civilians.[19] While Israel does not officially acknowledge that its drones are used to carry out strikes in Gaza or elsewhere, a 2016 report published by The Intercept suggested that Israel has used attack drones in fatal attacks.[8]
In August 2019, Elbit Systems won an Israel Ministry of Defense contract to install the Iron Fist active protection system on the IDF's new Eitan AFV and the IDF's fleet of armored D9 bulldozers.[20]
Israel supplies Azerbaijan advanced military equipment and helps train its 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.[21] Elbit was reported to have discretely played a major role in arming the Azeri military in the decades leading up to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[22]
On 1 July 2003, Elbit acquired the Belgian company OIP Sensor Systems.[23]
In 2001, Elbit Systems Group completed its purchase of Aeroeletronica, a Brazilian company in the defense industry.[24] In January 2011, Elbit announced that it had bought two additional Brazilian companies: Ares Aeroespecial e Defesa and Periscopio Equipamentos Optronicos.[25] In April 2011, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer entered into a strategic agreement with AEL 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 Systems Hermes 450 UAV into the service of the Brazilian Air Force.[26]
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.[27][28] The Israeli Ministry of Defense investigated and found that the letters likely came from Israel Aerospace Industries, a competitor that lost the tender.[27] The incident led to a review of the regulations governing overseas competition between Israeli defense companies.[27]
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-684 Personal Locator Beacon to the French Ministry of Defense, equipping the French Air Force, Army, Navy and DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement). [29]
Elbit Systems bought the radio communication division of the former Telefunken. In 2020, it became Elbit Systems Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. For the German military, Elbit produces the E-LynX SDR radio system, night vision and thermal imaging devices, and Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) for the A400M, radar warning receivers, and EW controllers for the CH-53GS/GE.[30]
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 the Italian Air Force, including the C130J, C27J and AW101.[31]
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.[32][33] In 2015, the Armed Forces of the Philippines received 114 M113 tracked APCs from the United States,[34] with remote control weapons systems designed by Elbit.[35]
On October 23, 2020, Elbit won contracts to produce 18 Sabrah ASCOD Light Tanks and 10 Pandur 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 28 Iveco VBTP-MR Guarani APCs for the Philippine Army's Light Tank and APC Acquisition Projects.[36]
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.[37] 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 the Romanian Air Forces' C-130 transport aircraft.[37]
On June 17, 2021, Elbit Systems announced the establishment of its Swedish subsidiary Elbit Systems Sweden.[38] On January 13, 2022, Elbit Systems Sweden was awarded with a contract to supply combat management systems to the Royal Swedish Navy.[39][40] On January 24, 2023, Elbit Systems Sweden announced that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $48 million to equip the Swedish Armed Forces with new mobile tactical communications stations.[41][42][43][44] 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.[44][43]
Elbit Systems Uk Ltd. was incorporated on September 24, 2004, as a holding company for Elbit's activities in the United Kingdom.[45] The company was incorporated after Elbit and French company Thales Group won a tender (code-named "Watchkeeper program") to supply the British Army with unmanned aerial vehicles.[46] The tender condition included a requirement to set up a local manufacturing facility for the program.[47] 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 in Leicester and manufactured the Watchkeeper WK450.[48] A flight testing facility was also set up at ParcAberporth in Wales.[49]
In 2007, Elbit acquired Ferranti Technologies, based in Oldham, Greater Manchester, a company that was part of the historic Ferranti group and provided solutions in the aerospace and defence markets.[50] In 2022, Elbit sold its Ferranti subsidiary for £9 million pounds, approximately £6 million less than it had purchased it for fifteen years prior, possibly partially in response to escalated activist protests of the company's involvement in the killing of Palestinians in Gaza.[51]
In February 2016, Affinity Flying Services Limited, a joint venture between Elbit and Kellog, Brown and Root, was awarded a £500 million contract to manage the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS) program for the Ministry of Defence to deliver aircrew training for over an 18-year period.[52]
As of 2023, Elbit has multiple UK subsidiaries across sixteen sites in the country, with more than 680 employees.[53]
United States – Elbit owns several companies in the United States through its American subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America (ESA). Elbit Systems of America operates under a special security agreement with a proxy board, allowing it to function independently and separately from its parent company.[54] [55] Elbit Systems of America (ESA) is incorporated in Delaware.[56]
In 2014, Elbit Systems won a two-year, $12.7 million contract for the supply and provision of Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets for the US Army helicopter fleet.[62]
On March 22, 2018, Elbit Systems and Universal 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." [citation needed]
In 2019, Elbit Systems purchased the night vision business of Harris Corp. (which had earlier acquired Exelis Inc., previously of ITT Inc.) for $350 million with Harris's merger with L3.[63][64]
In April 2019, Elbit Systems announced that it had partnered with DA-Group to produce and advertise its anti-jamming devices for global navigation satellite systems.[65]
A number of financial and investment organizations have divested their interests in Elbit, specifically:
On September 3, 2009, the Norwegian Pension Fund's ethical council decided to sell the fund's stocks in Elbit due to the corporations supply of surveillance systems for the Israeli West Bank barrier.[66] At a press conference to announce the decision, Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen said "We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law". The Norwegian Ambassador to Israel, Hans Jacob Biørn Lian, was called to a meeting at the Israeli Foreign Ministry where the decision was protested.[67]
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'.[68][69] The Danish financial watchdog Danwatch has also placed Elbit on its ethical blacklist in 2011,[70] and in 2014, one of Denmark's largest pension fund administrators PKA Ltd announced it will no longer consider investing in Elbit, stating "The ICJ 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."[69]
In March 2010, a Swedish pension 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.[71]
In December 2018, HSBC divested from Elbit,[72] following Elbit's acquisition of IMI Systems, with HSBC citing IMI's manufacturing of cluster bombs, which violated the bank's ethics policy of not investing in companies linked to the manufacturing or marketing of cluster munition.[73]
In 2019, Axa partially disinvested from the Israeli arms group Elbit Systems following pressure from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.[72][74][75] The move followed several years of campaigning by NGOs, including an April 2018 petition launched by SumOfUs that received 140,000 signatures, leading Axa to “quietly reduce” its investments in Elbit and Israeli banks.[72] Axa remains indirectly invested in Elbit and Israeli banks through a non-controlling interest in its former subsidiary Alliance Bernstein.[72][74]
In 2023, it was reported that Elbit (along with other Israeli defense manufacturers) had played an extensive role in discretely arming the Azeri army for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that culminated in accusations of an Armenian genocide.[22]
Following the 2014 Gaza War, activists from Palestine Action and other groups began protesting outside Elbit UK subsidiary Ferranti's factory in Oldham, England, primarily against Elbit's production of various bombs and other military technology used by the Israeli air force and resulting in a significant number of Palestinian civilian casualties,[51] and particularly citing Elbit's manufacture of the Hermes drone, which was implicated in the deaths of at least four Palestinian children.[19] Elbit ended up selling its Ferranti UK subsidiary in 2022 for nine million pounds, approximately £6m less than it had purchased it for fifteen years prior.[51]
During the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, on May 19, 2021, four members of Palestine Action dressed in red boiler suits and climbed onto the roof of an Elbit Systems-owned drone factory in Meridian Business Park, Leicester.[76][77][78] The occupation lasted six days and a total of 10 arrests were made for conspiracy to commit criminal damage and aggravated trespass.[76] The group has staged similar occupations of Elbit Systems sites in Bristol,[79] Oldham in collaboration with Extinction Rebellion[80][81][82] and Tamworth[83] in collaboration with Animal Rebellion.[84]
Beginning in October 2023, protesters again engaged in civil disobedience at multiple Elbit sites, responding to Israel's latest siege of Gaza. Activists disrupted operations Instro Precision Factory in Sandwich, Kent; UAV Tactical Systems and Howmet Fastening Systems in Leicester, all in the United Kingdom.[85] In the United States, protesters also chained themselves to the entrance of Elbit's office in Cambridge, Massachusetts,[86] and claimed to completely shut down the company's operations in another protest later the same month in an incident resulting in nine arrests.[87] In a separate protest in November at an Elbit location in Merimack, New Hampshire, three protesters were arrested for vandalism.[88] According to an NBC 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."[89]
"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
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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.
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