IWI Enters the UAV market, Partnering with Aerodrome to Establish a Manufacturing Plant in Israel
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding, including an initial investment of 10 million NIS to establish the plant. Alon Unger, UAV expert and UVID chairman: "Infrastructure investments are essential to advancing the field as a national growth engine”
A Aerodrome. Photo: Aerodrome
IWI and Aerodrome, a company specializing in the operation, maintenance, and training of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), intend to establish a UAV manufacturing plant in Israel.
Last week, Aerodrome reported signing a memorandum of understanding with a local defense industry company to set up the facility. For this purpose, the companies will form a joint venture, with IWI holding 51% and Aerodrome 49%, subject to a joint investment of NIS 10 million.
Additionally, it was agreed that Aerodrome will contribute assets, knowledge, employees, and customer agreements (excluding its agreement with a government client from October 2024), as well as the resources necessary to initiate production. The defense company will invest 1 million NIS to establish the plant's infrastructure under joint control and will provide its marketing network to the joint venture, including participation in international exhibitions at no additional cost.
Alon Unger, a senior UAV subject-matter expert (SME) and the founder and chairman of UVID, offered a broader perspective on this deal. “The Swords of Iron War has underscored the strategic importance of UAVs on the modern battlefield,” he notes. “From a national standpoint, the UAV sector demands independent infrastructural capabilities for the development and production of various UAV systems, alongside additional investments in infrastructure to advance the field as a national growth engine. This includes flight and testing facilities, technological, educational, and academic infrastructure, as well as training capabilities.”
“Moreover, regulatory easing is necessary for current approval and export processes related to UAV systems and components, enabling competition in the global market, which is experiencing growth and increased demand. Israel must respond to this demand with simplicity and high availability.”
Aerodrome declined to comment beyond its official announcement to the stock exchange.
