Elbit Systems will sell a new air defense system called Red Skies in the security company’s first deal with a foreign client. The scope of the deal stands at 180 million shekels ($48 million) over a two-year period. The new tactical air defense system is meant for short ranges and is designed to defend against low-altitude threats.
The system was developed by Elbit - the Israel-based international military technology company and defense contractor, and parts of it are already in use by the Israel Defense Forces. Red Skies’ advantage is its relatively low cost because it provides a multi-layered defense solution for aircraft flying up to 15,000 feet, primarily drones and UAVs – which have become significant weapons on the battlefield since the Ukraine War and the war in Gaza, creating high demand from several countries, mainly in Europe, for defense systems countering them.
Elbit reported to the stock exchange on Tuesday that it had won the tender, which will take place over two years. Udi Vered, general manager of Elbit Systems Land Ltd., told Ynet: "This is a new solution. It's the first time this system is being sold in its entirety after its development cycle. The tender’s approval took a year and a half."
According to the contract, Elbit will supply two Red Skies batteries, including a package of advanced components for multi-layered defense: a missile launching unit (MLU), operated remotely from a vehicle, equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) capabilities for autonomous operation, and with a range of up to 7 kilometers for launching precise VSHORAD missiles.
As a complement to the MLU, the system also includes a Battery Target Detection Radar (BTDR), containing a central processor, a C2 system, and an advanced communication system for coordinating with other military units.
In addition, Red Skies is equipped with an electronic warfare system against unmanned aerial systems – Elbit's ReDrone solution. This comprehensive solution includes threat detection and cataloging, including "soft defense" against unmanned aerial threats.
ReDrone consists of advanced X-band DAiR radars, Sigint sensors, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and the COAPS-L electro-optical payload, providing enhanced and integrated aerial imagery.
Each of the system’s components can operate independently or in sync, allowing flexible deployment tailored to specific operational requirements. "Whether the system is deployed as an independent firing unit or integrated within a regional defense framework, Elbit's Red Skies system offers comprehensive defense with unified command and control," the company said.
Elbit, headed by Michael Federmann, closed 2023 with an 8% growth in revenues, totaling $6 billion. In the last quarter of the year, during the war in Gaza, its sales jumped by 60%, and annual orders increased to $17.8 billion. Net profit amounted to $215 million after deducting $42 million for shutting down operations in the United States.