Former Mossad Chief David Barnea Joins Ondas to Lead Global Defense Expansion
The former intelligence chief joins the U.S. defense-tech company as it builds an AI-enabled platform combining autonomous systems, intelligence and robotics
Photo: Beit HaNassi (The Israeli President’s House) via Wikimedia commons
Former Mossad Director David (Dadi) Barnea has joined U.S.-based defense technology company Ondas as Global President and Chairman of Ondas Defense, as the company looks to expand its global defense business and integrate its portfolio of autonomous and AI-powered technologies.
Barnea served as Director of the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, from 2021 until June 2026, leading the organization during a period of heightened regional tensions, including the war with Hamas, confrontation with Iran and Hezbollah, complex hostage negotiations and major intelligence operations.
At Ondas, Barnea will focus on global expansion, defense partnerships, strategic technology development and the integration of the company’s various platforms, including autonomous systems, intelligence technologies and counter-UAS capabilities.
Ondas is building an AI-enabled, multi-domain defense platform that combines aerial security, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), precision strike systems and autonomous ground vehicles through a common software layer designed to connect sensors, communications and mission planning.
“David brings an extraordinary combination of current operational experience, strategic judgment, technology leadership and global relationships,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas. “He led one of the world’s most sophisticated intelligence organizations through a period of rapidly evolving threats, where artificial intelligence, advanced communications and purpose-built technologies played an increasingly important role.”
Barnea said the nature of warfare is changing rapidly, requiring defense organizations to combine intelligence, AI, resilient communications, autonomous platforms and precision capabilities into integrated operational environments.
“Ondas has assembled a distinctive group of technologies, companies and experienced teams across several of the most important areas of modern defense,” Barnea said. “The opportunity now is to bring those capabilities together and build an integrated platform that can respond quickly to the evolving requirements of governments and national security organizations.”
Oshri Lugassy, co-CEO of Ondas Autonomous Systems, said modern defense organizations need more than individual drones, sensors or software products.
“They need integrated systems that can collect intelligence, understand threats, support decisions and coordinate autonomous action across air, ground and other operational environments,” Lugassy said.
The appointment comes as Ondas expands its defense business. The company recently announced more than $70 million in new orders across unmanned ground systems, counter-UAS technologies, intelligence and surveillance solutions, and autonomous precision-strike systems.
Before leading the Mossad, Barnea served in the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Sayeret Matkal special operations unit and later held senior positions during a nearly three-decade intelligence career. Ondas emphasized that his role is a private-sector position separate from his previous government service and that he will not use or disclose classified information in connection with his work.