Bezhalel Machlis

Bezhalel Machlis, known as Butzi, is the President and Chief Executive of Elbit Systems, the Israeli defence group. On 20 October 2026 Elbit completed its purchase of International Submarine Engineering, a Vancouver maker of autonomous underwater vehicles, for a price it called not material. Machlis called the deal another milestone in Elbit's strategy to expand its naval offerings.

Machlis has led Elbit since 2013. He joined Elbit Ltd in 1991, worked in battlefield and information systems, and ran the land and C4I division as executive vice president from 2008 to 2012. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and computer Science from the Technion and an MBA from Tel Aviv University.

Machlis said ISE builds on Elbit's existing naval electronic warfare, autonomous systems, precision munitions and maritime mission systems. ISE has delivered more than 250 underwater vehicles to customers in over 20 countries.