Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems is Israel's largest private defence electronics and systems company, traded on both the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: ESLT) and Nasdaq (ESLT). Headquartered in Haifa, it designs and manufactures avionics, unmanned aerial systems, electro-optics, electronic warfare suites, and ground systems, primarily for the Israel Defense Forces and export customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Unlike state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit operates as a fully commercial enterprise, competing for international contracts alongside its domestic defence role.

Elbit is the primary avionics integrator on the F-35I Adir, Israel's domestically configured variant of Lockheed Martin's F-35A. The company supplies indigenous electronic warfare suites, helmet-mounted display systems, and mission computer elements that distinguish the Adir from export variants. In the drone domain, Elbit manufactures the Hermes family of unmanned aerial vehicles including the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450, exported to at least 20 countries. Its electronic warfare business unit produces radar jamming and signals intelligence systems deployed by multiple NATO and partner militaries. Elbit also manufactures the Iron Vision helmet-mounted display and the Torch-X battlefield management platform.

On 14 May 2026, Defense News reported that Elbit Systems received a $34 million contract to extend the operational range of the F-35I Adir, citing the active conflict with Iran as the explicit rationale. The contract represents a medium-term Israeli force posture adjustment, indicating the IDF is preparing for longer-range strike options beyond current Adir combat radius. Across the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the global drone market, Elbit products appear in multiple theatres — Ukrainian operators use Hermes-series drones — making the company a recurring presence across Lowdown's defence and conflict topics.