JERUSALEM — The Israeli Ministry of Defense will acquire $55 million-worth of protection systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems for its fleet of Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, the MoD announced Monday.
“As part of the project, IAF helicopters will be equipped with innovative technologies designed to ensure maximum protection in complex combat scenarios, including systems for identifying, disrupting, and neutralizing threats and systems for deflecting guided missiles,” the ministry noted, adding that the deal “joins a series of procurement and force build-up contracts that the IMOD is advancing under the leadership of the Ministry’s Director General, Major General (Res.) Amir Baram.”
Baram was appointed director general in March 2025, after his predecessor Eyal Zamir became the IDF’s new Chief of Staff.
The new contract, which covers five years of work, was signed by the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and in collaboration with the Israeli Air Force, the ministry said.
The contract is for Elbit’s Directional Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) and other unnamed advanced self-protection systems. Oren Sabag, the general manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR and EW Division, said the solutions will enhance “both safety and operational capabilities of their [Israel’s] Black Hawk and Apache helicopters.”
He said the contract helps strengthen Elbit’s “strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defense and the IDF [and] … reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering technology that provides the highest level of protection for aircrews operating in hostile environments.”
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Elbit Systems is one of Israel’s three large defense companies. Israel has been investing heavily in its local defense industry since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. Israel has been engaged in nineteen months of war on at least seven fronts. This includes using new defense technologies, including Arrow air defense systems to stop Houthi missiles and new defense systems on Israel’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes.
Israel’s investments include additions to the air force, including a third squadron of F-35s, a new drone squadron and a deal to procure new F-15s. After Oct. 7 the Israeli military reversed a decision to decommission some of its Apache combat helicopters, in favor of maintaining the old birds. Israel is also acquiring new CH-52K heavy lifters and integrating Israeli systems onboard them.
“We are advancing cutting-edge technologies for aerial platform protection, focusing on DIRCM systems for the IAF helicopter fleet,” Brig. Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes, the head of the Research and Development Department at the ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development said in the ministry’s statement. “This program builds on years of substantial investment in this critical domain and represents a significant technological breakthrough that addresses current and emerging threats.”
Elbit has provided its DIRCM defense capabilities to other militaries. In 2023 Elbit said it had signed a five year contract with NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency to establish a service center for DIRCMs on transport aircraft. The company also sold the system, along with EW, to the Netherlands in 2022.