Security · Full coverage

Former Israeli Security Chiefs Join Ondus Defense as Company Expands Rapidly

How 3 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

Center 1Unrated 2

First reported by Ynet · Aug 4, 2026

What happened

Israeli defense firm Ondus Defense is rapidly expanding by recruiting former top security officials, including ex-Mossad chief David Barnea and retired Brigadier General Yehuda Almogais. The company, backed by nearly $1 billion from an anonymous investor, is acquiring multiple defense tech firms and pursuing a major deal involving Rafael's Iron Dome subsidiary. These moves signal Ondus's ambition to become a key global defense player, though regulatory scrutiny and transparency issues persist.

  • 01Ondus Defense appoints retired Brigadier General Yehuda Almogais as Vice President shortly after his defense ministry tenure.
  • 02Former Mossad chief David Barnea became Ondus's Chairman and President, boosting its NASDAQ stock by 11%.
  • 03Ondus has acquired over 15 defense tech companies, focusing on autonomous systems, robotics, and drones.
  • 04The company is backed by nearly $1 billion from an undisclosed investor fueling rapid expansion.
  • 05Ondus seeks to buy Rafael's Amprest, which manages Iron Dome control units, pending defense ministry approval.
  • 06Ministry of Defense enforces a 10-month cooling-off period for Almogais and monitors Ondus's dealings amid limited public transparency.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 3 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

CalcalistUnrated · HebrewAug 5, 2026
Former Israeli Security Chiefs Join Ondus Defense as Company Expands Rapidly
GlobesUnrated · HebrewAug 5, 2026
Former Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea Joins US Defense Firm Ondas as Global Chairman
YnetCenter · HebrewAug 4, 2026
Former Mossad Chief Dedi Barnea Joins US Defense Tech Firm Ondas Defense as Global Chairman

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