Former Israeli Air Force Commander Amikam Norkin Tapped to Lead Anduril’s Expansion in Israel

American defense technology company Anduril is preparing for a major entry into the Israeli market and has identified retired Air Force Commander Major General Amikam Norkin as a leading candidate to head its Israeli operations. Valued recently at $61 billion in the private market, Anduril aims to establish a permanent Israeli branch to strengthen ties with the Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces, promote sales of advanced autonomous systems, and pursue strategic partnerships or acquisitions of local defense-tech startups.

Norkin, who retired in 2022 after more than 30 years of distinguished military service, currently serves as managing partner at ACE Capital Partners, an investment fund focused on aviation and defense technologies. His strategic and operational expertise aligns with Anduril’s focus on autonomous aerial systems. Founded by Palmer Luckey, the Oculus founder, Anduril has disrupted the U.S. defense sector by competing successfully against traditional giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, winning Pentagon contracts for autonomous combat drones such as the Fury and air defense systems.

Anduril’s co-founder and CEO Brian Schimpf recently visited Israel to advance the selection of a local representative and explore strategic collaborations. The company has already cooperated with Elbit Systems on a proposal for the U.S. Army’s Sigma artillery system, exemplifying its vision to integrate robust military hardware with AI-driven flight software.

This move signals Anduril’s commitment to deepening its presence in Israel’s defense ecosystem and leveraging local innovation to expand its global footprint.