On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that the deputy head for procurement in the air and naval sectors at the Directorate of Defense Procurement (DPD) had signed an agreement worth approximately 600 million NIS / 200 million USD with domestic company Elbit Systems for the supply of undisclosed air-launched munition systems for the Israeli Air Force (Heyl Ha’Avir) combat aircraft, replacing those used during recent military operations against Iran.
Photos: Elbit Systems
The munitions will be produced at Elbit Systems facilities located across Israel. Details have not been made public.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz:
“We continue to strengthen the State of Israel’s munitions independence. The IDF must have, at every moment, the means to act with power, speed, and without dependence on external actors. At a time when we are marking Israel’s 78th Independence Day, this has special significance: true independence is also measured by the ability to produce and defend ourselves by ourselves. We will continue to act with determination to ensure that the State of Israel relies on its own strength and is prepared for any challenge.”
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram:
“The current deal is another practical step in implementing the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to expand Israel’s defense production base. In the face of complex challenges and the lessons of the war, it is our duty to ensure the State of Israel’s munitions independence and strengthen blue-and-white production capabilities. We are not only equipping ourselves for the immediate term, but laying the infrastructure that will enable the IDF to enter any combat scenario while relying on independent production capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and supply continuity.”
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems:
“This series of contracts underscores Elbit Systems’ technological leadership in air launched weapon systems. We are proud of our long standing partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and our ongoing commitment to developing and delivering high precision, reliable solutions that are among the factors enabling the Israeli Air Force’s air superiority.”
Similar agreements in this matter were concluded on January 27, 2026, worth more than 183 million USD / 570 million NIS, and on August 11, 2025, worth approximately 900 million NIS / 260 million USD.
Elbit Systems’ portfolio includes, among others, Rampage air-launched ballistic missiles, Delilah stand-off missiles, REST (Range Extension and Smart Tail) kits for general-purpose bombs, which convert them into glide bombs, as well as Lizard and Mini Lizard guided bombs.
Recently, on March 30 this year, the company received a contract worth more than 150 million NIS for the delivery of another batch of tens of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells.
משרד הביטחון ממשיך לקדם עצמאות חימושית ורוכש מחברת ׳אלביט מערכות׳ חימושי אוויר בהיקף של כ-600 מיליון שקלים
להמשך קריאה: https://t.co/BBQHChXwTa
— משרד הביטחון (@MoDIsrael) April 23, 2026
Elbit Systems has been awarded contracts totaling approximately $200M to supply advanced airborne munitions to the @Israel_MOD.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO: "This series of contracts underscores Elbit Systems’ technological leadership in air launched… pic.twitter.com/CPdFLI0yNu
— Elbit Systems (@ElbitSystemsLtd) April 23, 2026
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