Israel’s defense tech sector showcases Israel’s pioneering edge - analysis

Recently, over 120 students took part in a hackathon aimed at providing solutions to the defense technology sector. One of the teams was made up entirely of students from the minority Druze community.

The team showcased their innovation by offering a solution to a problem that combat vehicles and sensors that are deployed on the battlefield face.

In essence, many combat vehicles and other systems rely on cameras and various sensors and electro-optics that provide the operators with a way to see what is happening. The problem: Sensors can become clouded with dirt and dust.

The team, all of whom are reservists, sought to solve this with a way to clean the external cameras using a system of rolling film. This was one of the many technologies presented at the recent DefenseTech Summit at Tel Aviv University.

Significantly, Israel has been at war for more than a year. During this time, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been called up to fight. This has caused many young people to put aside their studies and go to the front. It also means that people have not been working in companies, such as start-ups.

Now, Israel needs to keep producing the best cutting edge defense technology to manage the future battlefield and confront future threats. The war has reached a less intense phase. There is a two-month ceasefire in Lebanon.

In Gaza, there are three IDF divisions deployed but the fighting is less intense. That means that many people have been able to return home. It also means that the Defense Ministry is focused on acquiring a lot more defense systems.

FOR INSTANCE, the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) announced recently that “it has completed several contracts with Elbit Systems totaling approximately $40 Million.

“Under these contracts, Elbit Systems will supply the IDF with advanced drones and autonomous systems to upgrade the operational capabilities of its forces in the field,” it said.

This is important. Elbit makes several smaller drones that are important for the battlefield.

“The new systems were jointly developed by the Defense Ministry’s DDR&D. They developed the new systems with the IDF’s ground forces and Elbit Systems. They include advanced capabilities and are designed for various missions, including precise intelligence gathering and targeted strikes,” the ministry said.

Days after the drone deal, the ministry also said it had approved a procurement deal to buy five advanced Reshef-class missile ships from Israel Shipyards.

The deal is worth $780 million. This is only the tip of the iceberg of the massive investment Israel is making in new technologies and systems. Israel is acquiring a plethora of new systems for the army, navy, and air force. Part of this means investing heavily in small Israeli companies and start-ups.

Israel’s advances in terms of start-ups and technology are well known. What is perhaps less well-known is how much this is important in the defense sector.

At the DefenseTech Summit, the head of DDR&D, Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold said that “air and missile defense is changing the world.”

He pointed to systems such as Arrow 3 that have been used to stop missiles launched from Yemen.

“We are continuously improving our air and missile defense systems; during the war alone, we implemented dozens of system improvements. In the current war, David’s Sling and the Iron Dome successfully intercepted rockets, missiles, UAVs, and cruise missiles,” he said.

Issues of value

This is important because a drone recently struck a building in Yavne after being launched from Yemen. Israel has to remain one step ahead of the drone threat.

“During the war, we worked with dozens of start-ups in the field. We created a methodology for integrating a start-up in the field – something the world is still trying to figure out,” Gold said.

Overall, what was clear in Tel Aviv this week at the summit on December 10 and 11 is how hungry Israel is for new technologies and for trying to solve problems quickly.

This showcases the pioneering spirit of Israelis. The same people who rushed to the frontline on October 7, are now rushing to the technology frontline to create new applications using artificial intelligence and other technologies.

There are numerous stories of heroism and innovation in this sector. Young students who fought in Gaza and then came back and helped develop systems that will help save lives in the next war.

This could mean things like new types of tourniquets or ways to detect threats. The war has been traumatic and difficult, however, what may come out of it are the ways to fight the wars of the future and save lives.

Life-saving technology deployed on the battlefield can also help in other circumstances such as national disasters.