US Pentagon awards Israeli defense firm $150 million contract for anti-drone systems

The U.S. Department of War has awarded Israeli defense company Smart Shooter a $150 million contract to supply the Pentagon with its AI-enabled SMASH anti-drone system, expanding the use of the Israeli-developed technology by the U.S. military.

The three-year contract was announced Sept. 29 by the Department of War’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401, known as JIATF-401. Smart Shooter announced the following day that it was the sole contractual partner responsible for delivering SMASH hardware, software and updates, as well as training and support.

The contract is part of JIATF-401’s Domestic Shield Program and related missions overseas, reflecting growing concern over the threat posed by small, inexpensive drones to high-value assets including aircraft, buildings and ships.

“Domestic Shield is about giving defenders the tools to stop small, fast-moving drones before they can harm forces, bases, and critical assets,” said Michal Mor, CEO and co-founder of Smart Shooter.

“Our approach allows us to identify the right capabilities for specific operational requirements and rapidly deliver those capabilities to the warfighter,” added U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401.

The IDF adopted the SMASH system into its arsenal in May, using the AI-enabled rifle sight to help counter small first-person-view drones. The system was developed by Smart Shooter, which is headquartered at Kibbutz Yagur in northern Israel.

Smart Shooter has already supplied thousands of units to the U.S. military following an initial Pentagon contract awarded in March. The company has also supplied systems to NATO militaries, including the British and German armed forces.

Argentina receives Israeli-made assault rifles

In related news, soldiers in the Argentine Army have reportedly received an initial shipment of Israeli-made IWI ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 rifles.

The light infantry rifles are intended to replace Argentina’s aging arsenal of FN FAL and M16 rifles, some of which have been in service for decades.

Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Carlos Presti presided over a ceremony on Tuesday at which soldiers received the new weapons after the Argentine Joint Staff completed a series of tests to evaluate their quality, according to a statement from the Argentine Defense Ministry.

Thousands more rifles are expected to be manufactured by Israel Weapons Industries, headquartered in Kiryat Gat, and exported to Argentina in the coming months and years. The deliveries are expected to allow Argentina’s Army, Navy and Air Force to gradually replace their legacy rifles.

IWI technicians are also training the Argentine military to use and maintain the weapons.

Local media reports in Argentina said the Israeli company was selected after a lengthy evaluation process that also considered potential suppliers from Europe and the United States.

Speaking to reporters at the ceremony, Presti said Argentine soldiers operate in a wide range of environments, including high altitudes, extreme heat and cold, humid conditions, jungle and dusty terrain. He said the military therefore needed weapons that were rugged, versatile and easy to maintain.

Several weapons reportedly performed well during the evaluation, but the Israeli-made rifles were ultimately selected for Argentina’s military.