Full Breakdown
Magos Systems Secures $7 Million Radar Contract to Bolster Israeli Counter-Drone Defenses
7/1/2026, 4:02:08 AM
Contract Overview: Scope, Value, and Deployment
Magos Systems announced a contract worth NIS 21 million (approximately US $7 million) to supply the Israeli Ministry of Defense with hundreds of its advanced radar units. The systems are slated for deployment along the Lebanese border, where eight Magos radars have already entered IDF service. The new order follows operational testing that demonstrated the radars’ early-detection and early-warning capabilities.
Background: Drone Threats and Hezbollah’s Fiber-Optic Drones
In recent months Hezbollah has employed fiber-optic-guided first-person-view drones against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, prompting a shift from a perceived future threat to an active battlefield challenge. Similar drone proliferation has been observed in the Ukraine conflict, underscoring a global trend toward low-cost unmanned aerial attacks that can bypass conventional electronic jamming.
Company Profile and Investors
Founded in 2010, Magos Systems is co-led by CEO Aviel Kisliansky and Vice-President of R&D Amit Iseroff. The Afcon Group, controlled by the Schmelzer family, is the company’s largest shareholder, while Johnson Controls is a secondary investor. Magos operates in Israel, the United States, South America and Europe and plans extensive commercial activity in India.
Technical Capabilities and Statistics
The contract covers radars that cost “several tens of thousands of shekels,” roughly a few thousand dollars each, far below the price of larger systems. Each unit provides 360-degree coverage, detects small drones at up to 300 meters, and delivers at least 60 seconds of warning to troops. Built on MIMO beamforming and the MASS AI software suite, the radars classify drones, birds, vehicles and people, filter false alarms to near zero, and function in all weather conditions. Magos reports deployments in more than 70 countries, annual sales of US $20-30 million, and total funding of US $5 million.
Official Statements & Responses
The Ministry of Defense confirmed the agreement, describing the radars as “early-detection and early-warning” solutions against a broad spectrum of aerial and ground threats. Magos highlighted the system’s low cost, portability and ability to detect fiber-optic drones that evade radio-frequency sensors. The Times of Israel reported the deal as a response to “fast-evolving unmanned aerial threats,” and the IDF announced an expansion of its counter-drone capabilities concurrent with the contract.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the contract’s monetary value, citing NIS 21 million (?US $7 million) and US $5.7 million respectively. The number of countries served is reported as “more than 70” in some statements and “more than 50” in others. While the contract specifies “hundreds” of radars, only eight units are confirmed as already in IDF service. Independent performance data beyond company-provided evaluations remain unavailable.
Outlook: Expansion and Future Counter-Drone Efforts
Magos plans to launch broader commercial operations in India later this year. Parallel Israeli initiatives include development of laser-based systems and a factory to produce fiber-optic exploding drones intended to counter Hezbollah’s UAVs. The contract signals an ongoing emphasis on affordable, AI-driven radar solutions as part of Israel’s broader strategy to mitigate emerging drone threats.
