Radar tech AI startup clinches deal for drone attack warning system to Israeli army

As part of the deal, Magos will supply hundreds of its radar-based detection systems to protect ground forces against approaching unmanned aerial threats, including fiber-optic drones

Israeli startup Magos Systems, a developer of AI-native radar technology, has inked a NIS 21 million ($7 million) agreement to supply defense ground forces with its early-detection alert system against fast-evolving unmanned aerial threats, including fiber-optic drones.

The Rehovot-based startup did not disclose the “defense customer,” but sources close to the deal confirmed that Magos will supply hundreds of its advanced drone-detection radar systems to the Israeli army as part of the deal. Israel’s Defense Ministry was not available for comment when contacted by The Times of Israel.

The deal comes as Israel has struggled to fend off explosive drone attacks on troops in southern Lebanon and on the northern front. Fighting on multiple fronts over the past two and a half years, Israel has continued to contend with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) incursions from the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group on the northern front, adding a constant, closer-range threat.

Most recently, an IDF probe into a Hezbollah attack on June 19, which led to the deaths of a tank battalion commander and three soldiers, found that their tank was hit by an explosive-laden drone. While slower-moving and usually less destructive than rockets or missiles, drones can pose a challenge due to the difficulty detecting and tracking them as they often fly at low altitude, and the need to deploy various assets to intercept the weapons they carry.

Founded in 2010 by electrical engineers Aviel Kisliansky, CEO, and Amit Isseroff, VP R&D, Magos said it has developed an early-warning, radar-based technology system to help protect ground forces against low-flying aerial threats, including fiber-optic-guided drones. The lightweight radar system is based on beamforming technology and combines advanced algorithms to classify moving objects as drones, birds, or vehicles; filter out false alarms; and alert defense teams only when necessary, the firm said.

“By fusing radar detection data with information from cameras deployed in the field, the system delivers real-time, multi-dimensional situational awareness of both ground and aerial threats,” said Kisliansky. “The new system enables simultaneous, highly accurate classification of people, vehicles, and drones, while maintaining reliable performance in challenging weather conditions and effectively filtering out false alarms caused by wildlife, including birds, and other environmental movement.”

Magos said that the drone detection system, which the startup developed over the past two years, has “successfully” passed rigorous evaluations by several customers in Israel and worldwide, including vis-à-vis competing systems that are significantly more expensive.

To date, Magos has manufactured and deployed thousands of radar systems across more than 70 countries in North America, South America, and Europe, the startup said. Among its customers are defense facilities, government sites, and critical infrastructure sites, including energy and power facilities, solar farms, ports, data centers, and logistics hubs.