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Ondas Targets Israel's Defense Elite

August 7, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Ondas recruits former Mossad chief David Barnea as chairman and president.
Former DDR&D head Yehuda Almakias to join as vice president.
Ondas seeks to build a major defense technology group through acquisitions.
Company bids for Iron Dome supplier mPrest.

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Strategic Implications

Ondas' recruitment of senior defense officials may indicate a shift in Israel's defense establishment towards closer ties with private companies. The company's expansion suggests a growing demand for defense technology, which could benefit Ondas and its competitors. However, the speed of these appointments may raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

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What Happened

Former Mossad Chief Joins Company Amid Rapid Expansion

Ondas, a US-listed defense holding company, is rapidly expanding its presence in Israel’s defense industry by recruiting senior officials from the country’s defense establishment. Former Mossad chief David Barnea has joined as chairman and president, while former DDR&D head Yehuda Almakias is set to become a vice president. The company is also bidding for control of mPrest, a Rafael subsidiary that develops command-and-control systems for the Iron Dome air defense system. This move is part of Ondas’ strategy to build a major defense technology group through acquisitions, as reported by Calcalist.

Source | Originally Published: August 5, 2026

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