Elbit Systems secures $1.4b. European defense contract as backlog passes $30b.
Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- Elbit Systems secured a $1.4 billion contract from an unnamed European nation for military modernization systems over five years.
- The deal includes autonomous vehicles, electronic warfare solutions, and advanced reconnaissance systems, networked via Elbit's software-defined radios.
- The contract win coincides with Elbit's first-quarter results, showing a 15.5% revenue jump and pushing its order backlog past $30 billion.
Elbit Systems announced a significant $1.4 billion defense contract with an undisclosed European country, set to span five years. The agreement involves supplying a comprehensive suite of military modernization systems, including autonomous unmanned vehicles, ground-based electronic warfare solutions, precision-guided artillery, and advanced reconnaissance systems. These platforms will be integrated and networked using Elbit's software-defined radios, enhancing their operational capabilities.
The substantial contract win was revealed alongside Elbit's first-quarter 2026 financial results, which reported a 15.5% increase in quarterly revenue, reaching $2.19 billion. This surge propelled the Haifa-based company's total order backlog to exceed $30 billion for the first time. In response to this record backlog, Elbit management indicated plans to scale up production capacity and increase the deployment of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence within its manufacturing facilities to expedite order execution while maintaining profit margins.
This contract reflects the breadth and attractiveness of Elbit Systems' defense portfolio, as well as our ability to deliver both highly capable, best-in-class systems and comprehensive, integrated solutions tailored to evolving operational needs.
Elbit's President and CEO, Bezhalel Machlis, highlighted the contract's significance, stating it "reflects the breadth and attractiveness of Elbit Systems' defense portfolio" and the company's ability to deliver tailored, integrated solutions. He emphasized that the deal reinforces Elbit's position as a trusted strategic partner for global customers addressing long-term defense challenges and modernization efforts. The company is also expanding its internal research and development investments to foster next-generation defense offerings.
Despite its business successes, Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms company, has faced international scrutiny and pro-Palestinian protests, boycotts, and commercial restrictions in Europe. France has barred Israeli defense firms, including Elbit, from participating in major arms expos like Euronaval and Eurosatory in 2024. Additionally, Spain declared an arms embargo and a partial import ban on Israeli defense products in September 2025.
It reinforces our positioning as a trusted strategic partner to customers worldwide, supporting their long-term defense challenges and modernization efforts.
Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.