Israeli Drone CEO Reveals IDF’s Drone Shortfall After Hamas Attack and Leads Tech Innovation

On October 8, 2023, amid fierce fighting between IDF soldiers and Hamas militants near Gaza, Oudi Oster, now CEO of drone company Aitan (formerly Eyesatop), encountered a reservist to whom he handed two personal drones. This brief meeting marked Oster’s entry into the drone field, highlighting how drones were virtually absent from IDF units during the October 7 Hamas attack. Oster recalled the shock of realizing that simple civilian drones, which could provide critical battlefield intelligence, were not integrated into military operations despite being commercially available.

Following the war’s outbreak, Oster collaborated with Alon Dror, CEO of defense startup Kela, to organize chaotic drone donations from wealthy American Jews. Due to flight restrictions, volunteers coordinated covert shipments by entrusting drones to travelers flying to Israel. Between 3,000 and 4,000 drones arrived in two months, distributed to units based on IDF planning directives. Oster explained that the IDF historically deprioritized drones, focusing budgets on strategic defense rather than maneuvering capabilities.

Tragically, Oster’s brother Eitan, a commander in the Egoz unit, was killed in Lebanon in October 2024. Oster believes that had drones been available then, the outcome might have been different. His company’s slogan is to ensure IDF soldiers always have a technological advantage. Today, Aitan develops a unified operating system for various drone types, enabling coordinated control and real-time shared video feeds, enhancing battlefield situational awareness.

Oster’s journey began in tech startups, including a food delivery platform sold for $150 million, before shifting to drones after the war. His company recently won a major IDF drone tender alongside Kela and is raising $15 million, backed by former OpenAI executives and former IDF Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz. Oster emphasizes the evolving drone market’s challenges, such as rapid tech changes and training reservists on outdated models.

Oster also recounted the personal impact of the war, including the kidnapping of longtime colleague Or Levy and the murder of Levy’s wife, Einav. Oster and his team established an independent command center to track Levy’s status until his release in February 2025. Oster’s story underscores the IDF’s initial technological gaps post-October 7 and the urgent drive to integrate drones as a core combat asset.