Elbit Systems Acquires Canadian Submarine Robotics Firm International Submarine Engineering

Elbit Systems Ltd. has completed the purchase of International Submarine Engineering Ltd. (ISE), a Vancouver-area company that designs and builds autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The deal adds ISE’s underwater vehicle capability to Elbit’s existing naval portfolio, which already includes uncrewed surface vessels, command-and-control suites, sonar, electro-optical sensors, communications and electronic-warfare systems.

Autonomous underwater systems added to Elbit Systems portfolio through acquisition Elbit Systems Expands Underwater and Maritime Autonomy Capabilities with Acquisition of ISE Elbit acquires Canadian underwater robotics company ISE to expand naval capabilities

Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest defence contractor, supplies a wide range of weapons and electronic systems to the Israeli military and export customers. Its naval segment already covers combat-management, sonar, communications and electronic-warfare technologies. ISE, founded more than five decades ago, has supplied over 250 underwater vehicles to customers in more than 20 countries, serving government, defence and civilian markets. The acquisition brings an established subsea-robotics manufacturer under Elbit’s corporate umbrella, expanding the range of missions the combined company can address, including underwater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mine counter-measures (Mine Counter Measures (MCM)) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

Elbit Systems Acquires Subsea Robotics Maker ISE Elbit Systems Expands Underwater and Maritime Autonomy Capabilities with Acquisition of ISE Autonomous underwater systems added to Elbit Systems portfolio through acquisition

• Experience: ISE has operated for over 50 years in subsea robotics.

Elbit Systems Expands Underwater and Maritime Autonomy Capabilities with Acquisition of ISE

• Delivery record: More than 250 underwater vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 20 countries.

Elbit acquires Canadian underwater robotics company ISE to expand naval capabilities

The Canadian government’s recent actions were noted in the coverage: in March 2024 the Liberal government paused approvals of new export permits for some military goods to Israel, yet it continued to allow shipments of Israeli-made military products via the United States and maintained procurement of Israeli equipment for Canadian forces.

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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) welcomed the transaction. Its Pacific-region vice-president Nico Slobinsky posted on X that it was “great to see a BC-based company like ISE becoming part of a growing Canadian-Israeli partnership in advanced technology and defence,” adding that the collaboration could generate jobs, innovation and security.

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• Purchase price: Elbit described the price as “not material” but gave no figure; no independent verification of the amount is available.

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• Customer commitments: The announcement did not identify any existing platform or customer that will immediately integrate ISE’s vehicles, nor did it provide a timeline for integration, testing or delivery of new systems.

Elbit acquires Canadian underwater robotics company ISE to expand naval capabilities

• “This acquisition marks another milestone in Elbit Systems’ strategy to expand its offerings in the naval domain.” — CEO Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO

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• “It should be illegal for Israel’s top arms producer to purchase a Canadian company.” — NDP Leader Avi Lewis

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• “Great to see a BC-based company like ISE becoming part of a growing Canadian-Israeli partnership in advanced technology and defence.” — Nico Slobinsky

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