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Israeli defense startup Esh-Tech raises $18 million for counter-drone laser

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israeli defense startup Esh-Tech secured $18 million in funding to scale production of its DroneLight counter-drone system.
  • The funding comes amid escalating drone attacks by Hezbollah along Israel's northern border, posing a significant threat.
  • Esh-Tech's laser-based system aims to provide a cost-effective and rapid response to aerial threats, with CEO Erez Riahi emphasizing its operational deployment.

Israeli defense technology startup Esh-Tech has raised $18 million to advance the large-scale production of its DroneLight counter-drone system. The funding round, led by Kinetica Partners and supported by investors including Mahari, Renaton Capital, and the Israel Innovation Authority, signals strong confidence in the nation's defense innovation capabilities.

This development arrives as Hezbollah's increasing use of explosive and first-person-view (FPV) drones presents a critical threat to Israeli forces along the northern border. Drones have become a more frequent weapon in the conflict, leading Israeli soldiers to employ improvised defenses, such as fishing nets, while awaiting more advanced countermeasures. FPV drones, in particular, have proven difficult to jam, complicating the military's response and raising concerns about their potential range extending to larger Israeli cities.

Esh-Tech plans to use the capital to establish a domestic production line, complete development, expand hiring, and scale international sales. The Omer-based company specializes in laser defense technologies designed for rapid response against aerial threats. Its DroneLight system utilizes pulsed-laser interception for a cost-effective counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability suitable for various operational settings.

"The company’s CEO, Erez Riahi, said that the company is 'fully focused on bringing DroneLight into operational service and delivering meaningful impact where it matters most.'" Esh-Tech previously stated that DroneLight is approximately 25% cheaper than legacy laser systems and more effective, a claim supported by the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense, Research and Development (Mafat), which has provided significant backing for the company's product development.

The company’s CEO, Erez Riahi, said that the company is “fully focused on bringing DroneLight into operational service and delivering meaningful impact where it matters most.”

— Erez RiahiCEO of Esh-Tech, on the company's immediate goals for the DroneLight system.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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