Former Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea Joins US Defense Tech Firm Ondas Defense as Global Chairman

Former Mossad chief Dedi Barnea was appointed global president and chairman of Ondas Defense, an American-owned defense technology company, in a surprising move announced on Monday. Ondas Defense, a subsidiary of Ondas Inc. traded on Wall Street, has shifted focus since 2021 from communications to rapidly acquiring Israeli defense tech startups. Many of these companies bring proven battlefield experience, facilitating adoption by the US and European governments. Barnea's appointment is seen primarily as leveraging his extensive international military and defense contacts rather than technical expertise in drones or robotics.

Ondas has acquired numerous Israeli defense firms since 2023, including Airobotics, Iron Drone, S.P.O Smart Precision, Sentrycs, Robo-team, INDO Earth Moving, Omnisys, Apeiro Motion, and M4 Defence. It also purchased American Robotics, Dzyne, World View Enterprises, Mistral, and British Cyberhawk, consolidating these under its Ondas Sentinel and Ondas Defense divisions. The company emphasizes rapid integration of advanced technologies and strong partnerships, such as with AI firm Palantir, to create unified battlefield platforms.

Ondas has recruited many senior Israeli defense figures, including former Rafael executives and IDF officers, strengthening its Israeli identity and facilitating contracts with Israel’s defense establishment. CEO and founder Eric Brock highlights Barnea’s operational experience, strategic judgment, and leadership in transforming organizations to modern warfare realities. The company’s stock has surged over 300% since August 2023, fueled by strong demand for drone and counter-drone systems globally and a $457 million order backlog. BlackRock recently acquired a 7.2% stake, signaling growing investor confidence.

Ondas’s strategy combines American capital and market access with Israeli technological innovation and defense expertise, positioning it as a rising global defense tech player. Barnea’s role is expected to accelerate Ondas’s global expansion and integration of cutting-edge defense technologies, capitalizing on his ability to open doors in military and defense ministries worldwide.