Full Breakdown
Ondas Wins Israeli “Digital Bat” Tender to Build Low-Cost Tactical Attack Drones
8/12/2026, 9:32:36 PM
Core Event
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to U.S.–listed defense firm Ondas to develop and produce a new generation of low-cost tactical attack drones for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The program, dubbed “Digital Bat,” will cover the aerial platform, autonomous functions, mission-software integration, production readiness and compatibility with broader command-and-control systems. The award follows the recent appointment of former Mossad chief David Barnea as president and chairman of Ondas’s defense division.
Background & Context
Militaries worldwide are prioritising inexpensive unmanned systems that can be fielded in large numbers. The Israeli tender reflects a shift toward “affordable autonomous systems” that can be produced and deployed at scale, addressing evolving battlefield requirements for frontline infantry battalions.
Key Figures & Groups
- David Barnea – president and chairman of Ondas’s defense division.
- Eric Brock – chairman and CEO of Ondas.
- Brig. Gen. (res.) Oshri Lugassy – co-CEO of Ondas Autonomous Systems.
- Brig. Gen. (res.) Yehuda Almakias – vice president, former head of the Defense Ministry’s R&D Directorate.
Data & Statistics
- Ondas’s market value: $5.3 billion, up 10 % since Barnea’s recruitment.
- Program scale: described as a multi-million-dollar effort; exact award amount and planned drone quantity remain undisclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
Eric Brock said the contract validates Ondas’s defense-technology platform and its ability to serve as a prime contractor for complex programs. Oshri Lugassy noted the opportunity to apply Ondas’s autonomous capabilities to a critical battlefield requirement, delivering rapid, precise strike options for frontline units.
Why It Matters / Impact
The Digital Bat program aims to give IDF infantry battalions an indigenous, scalable aerial strike capability that can be quickly adapted to changing operational environments, shortening response times and extending tactical reach.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The Defense Ministry has not disclosed the exact monetary value of the award, the number of drones to be produced, or detailed technical specifications of the Digital Bat system.
- While Ondas describes the program as a “complete operational capability,” no independent verification of the system’s performance parameters has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This strategic award represents an important validation of the defense technology platform we are building at Ondas and our growing ability to serve as a prime contractor for complex, next-generation defense programs,” — Eric Brock, chairman and CEO
- “Tactical forces increasingly require aerial systems that can be deployed rapidly, integrated directly into operational workflows and adapted as missions and threats evolve,” — Oshri Lugassy, rafael vice president
