The proposed production line would expand Rafael’s global manufacturing footprint for Iron Dome interceptors, which are currently produced in northern Israel, with an additional US production line launched in partnership with Raytheon. The move would also align with India’s “Make in India” defense manufacturing policy and growing efforts to strengthen domestic missile and air defense production.

The talks come amid rising international demand for air defense systems and deeper defense cooperation between Israel and India. Iron Dome, one of Israel’s best-known defense technologies, is designed to intercept short-range rockets, artillery shells, and other aerial threats.

Read more in Globes.

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The total is three times the approximately USD 1 billion raised during all of 2025. Defense-tech and dual-use companies also accounted for nearly 30% of the USD 8.4 billion invested in Israel’s hi-tech sector during the period, highlighting the sector’s growing importance to the country’s innovation ecosystem.

Industry participants attributed the surge in investment to increased global demand for defense technologies and growing interest in AI-enabled military capabilities, autonomous systems, encrypted communications, and battlefield software. The forum also highlighted closer collaboration between startups, established defense contractors, and government bodies supporting defense innovation.

The figures reinforce Israel’s emergence as a global defense-tech hub, with approximately 800 startups currently fulfilling direct procurement orders for the Defense Ministry.

Read more in The Jerusalem Post.

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The inaugural cohort includes 15 Israeli companies selected by a committee of Meta executives from its Tel Aviv technology and business operations, together with leading venture capital investors. The program focuses on digital-native, business-to-consumer startups that have demonstrated early market traction and are looking to expand into international markets.

The selected companies span sectors including AI, fintech, health, education, consumer products, e-commerce, proptech, wellness, and mobility. Participants include Danexa, Lexi, WellyBox, Owlue, Betteroo, Kimba, Tedooo, Dappas, Dafni, Pelegon, PrimeTime Apps, Fans Legacy, Liss, Noom, and Armato.

Meta said the program will provide participating founders with expert guidance, hands-on support, and access to AI-powered business tools designed to help companies reach customers more effectively and accelerate growth in global markets.

Read more in Calcalist.

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Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka discussed the talks during a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Tel Aviv, describing Israeli air defense systems as technologically advanced and emphasizing Prague’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The discussions come as Israel continues to position its defense technologies as increasingly relevant to European security needs. During the press conference, Sa’ar thanked Czechia for its support of Israel and highlighted the country’s role as a close political, economic, and security partner. The two ministers also signed a declaration establishing a permanent annual business forum aimed at expanding cooperation between Israel and Czechia.

Read more in The Jerusalem Post.

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CardinalOps developed an AI-powered platform that helps enterprises improve threat detection coverage, optimize SIEM rules, and close gaps in existing security operations systems. The acquisition is expected to support Cribl’s push to challenge traditional SIEM platforms and broaden its offering for security teams.

Following the acquisition, Cribl is expected to establish a Tel Aviv office and integrate CardinalOps’ technology and team into its broader data and security platform. The deal marks another Israeli cybersecurity acquisition by a US company seeking to expand its security operations capabilities.

Paul Hastings acted for Cribl, with the team led by Ian Engstrand, David Ambler, Claudia Torres, and Harriet Bryant.

Meitar advised Cribl on the Israeli aspects of the deal, led by Shachar Hadar.

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Founded in 2015, IoTM Solutions developed a cloud-native platform that brings together fragmented network operator systems, connectivity management platforms, and eSIM workflows into a single managed service. The platform manages more than 30 million SIM cards, can support more than one billion SIM cards, includes more than 20 native integrations with connectivity management platforms, APIs, and network operator platforms, and provides access to more than 100 mobile network operators.

The acquisition strengthens CSL’s ability to help customers manage SIM cards, eSIM profiles, usage reporting, support processes, and API access across multiple operators and platforms, while preparing for SGP.32, the next-generation GSMA eSIM standard for IoT.

Erdinast, Ben Nathan, Toledano and Squire Patton Boggs represented CSL Group in the transaction.

The EBN team was led by Lior Oren, Eyal Wiesel, and Ariella Mankowitz, and included Tal Alon, Tamar Lia Toledano, Shiran Soholitsky, Almog Gil-Or, Almog Gill, Noam Nadler, Shahar Amshalom, Nitzan Aberbach, Lior Etgar, Peter Klibaner, Eyal Birenberg, Adi Mashiah, Kobi Barkan, and Nomi Gerber.

FBC & Co. advised IoTM Solutions.

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The Big Foot field is located approximately 360 kilometers south of New Orleans, at a water depth of approximately 1,600 meters. Operated by Chevron, the field has been in production since 2018 and has crude oil production capacity of approximately 75,000 barrels per day.

The acquisition was made through ME BigFoot, an entity in which Modiin Energy holds a 90% stake, with Eventide Partners holding the remaining 10%. Following the transaction, ME BigFoot joins Chevron and Equinor as partners in the Big Foot asset.

Pillsbury represented Modiin Energy on the partnership agreement, with the team led by Ben Clark and Blake Berkey.

Epstein Rosenblum Maoz advised Modiin on the international legal processes, led by Asaf Rimon, Ori Nehmad, David Hacohen, and Tal Heller.

Porter Hedges served as Modiin’s US legal counsel. Agmon with Tulchinsky advised on transaction financing. FBC & Co. advised on the equity raise and capital markets.

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The investment will be injected into Ener-T, with a smaller portion paid to the company’s founders. The transaction comes as Ener-T prepares for a planned listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in the coming months.

Ener-T operates across much of the solar energy value chain, including land acquisition, development, planning, engineering, construction, and project operations. The company employs approximately 150 people and is active in agri-voltaic projects, floating solar systems, energy storage, biogas, and other renewable energy projects in Israel and internationally.

Herzog advised Ener-T on the transaction, with a team led by Nir Dash, Itay Lavi, David Azimov, and Idan Zefania.

Eldad Koresh & Co. represented More Investment House, and FWMK acted for Schestowitz Group.

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The report found that 31% of Israeli startups less than five years old are classified as AI-native, meaning they were built around artificial intelligence from day one. Israel ranked ahead of the United States, where AI-native companies account for 30% of young startups, as well as France and Japan, each at 28%.

The study also found that Israeli AI-native startups are growing revenue by an average of 185% annually, compared to 74% for traditional Israeli startups, and are 5.9 times more likely to generate at least USD 1 million in annual revenue.

According to the report, nearly half of Israeli AI-native startups generate most of their revenue outside Israel, while 86% have developed proprietary intellectual property, including customized foundation models. The findings point to Israel’s continued strength in building globally oriented, technology-intensive startups around emerging AI capabilities.

Read more in Calcalist.

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The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry said hundreds of billions of cubic meters of natural gas may remain undiscovered in Israel’s exclusive economic zone. Additional discoveries could help secure local supply, increase competition, support state revenues, and lower electricity tariffs.

The process follows the granting of six exploration licenses to a group including SOCAR, BP, and NewMed Energy, as well as ongoing plans to expand production capacity from the Tamar and Leviathan reservoirs.

Alongside the new exploration process, the ministry also announced plans for a major underwater electricity transmission cable linking southern and central Israel. The proposed cable would run approximately 150 kilometers, including approximately 102 kilometers underwater, and would be designed to transmit up to 5.4 gigawatts of electricity.

Read more in The Jerusalem Post.

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