Elbit is a private Israeli weapons company, operating in a wide range of areas including, aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communication, computers, intelligence and surveillance. The company also provides a range of support services.Elbit is the second biggest arms company in Israel and the biggest private arms company in Israel. Elbit’s biggest single customer is the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD). In 2017, sales to the IMOD generated 19% of Elbit Systems 3,377.8 million USD revenue.In January 2018, the Israeli government’s approval the sale of its wholly owned weapons company, the Israeli Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) to Elbit. The 515 million USD deal is to be finalised in July 2018. Established in 1993, IMI is involved in the manufacturing of a range of weapons, munitions and military technology for the Israeli army. The company’s products are used by the Israeli army and exported internationally to 70 militaries and government agencies around the world.This latest Elbit purchase gives it a greater monopoly over the Israeli arms industry’s internal and external market.Elbit supplies 85% of UAVs used by the Israeli army. One of Elbit’s most famous UAVs the Skylark – an intelligence gathering drone, operational in the Israeli army since 2008 – which is used during military operations of house arrest in the occupied West Bank. The Skylark was used during the so-called “Brothers come home” Israeli attacks in June and July 2014, where scores of Palestinian civilians were arbitrarily arrested.During Israel’s deadly attack on Gaza in 2014, Elbit’s 7.5 Skylark, as well as its lethal UAV, the Hermes 900, were used. The Hermes 900, which was assembled jointly with L-3 Communication in a 120 million USD venture, can stay aloft for up to 24 hours at altitudes of up 18,000 feet and has an array of optical, infrared, and laser sensors that allow the operator to identify and track targets as well as to guide munitions in flight. The UAV carries two Spike-MR missiles, produced by the Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.Israeli media routinely reports of the crashing of Elbit’s Skylark UAV during intelligence gathering operations in Gaza. The anxiety-inducing buzzing of Israeli military UAVs has become a permanent soundtrack to the lives of Palestinians in Gaza
