ByDEAN SHMUEL ELMAS/GLOBES/TNS, ANNA AHRONHEIM

JUNE 23, 2026 15:14

Anduril Industries cofounder Palmer Luckey is discussing the appointment of former Israel Air Force Commander Gen. (res.) Amikam Norkin to lead the firm's Israel operations, as confirmed by Defense and Tech via The Jerusalem Post.

Norkin serves as managing partner at Ace Capital Partners, an investment fund formed by Key1 Capital and Aerospace Spirit together with Brig.-Gen. (res.) Shimon Tsentsiper, Amit Pilowsky, Danny Ackerman, and Sarel Eldor.

The fund backs Israeli and international early-stage firms from seed through Series A that focus on dual-use, aerospace, and defense technologies. It currently supports four startups developing optical sensors for satellites, advanced robotics for ground troops, hybrid engines for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and a portable VTOL platform for border security and law enforcement.

Anduril aims to replicate the approach of major US defense firms such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing by establishing comparable operations in Israel. Yet its goals appear wider than those of the established players, which mainly integrate Israeli firms into supply chains.

Defense tech matters for collaboration, Norkin noted in a recent interview with D and T. Timing is favorable as well. Three or four years ago investors avoided defense, but attitudes have shifted and opportunities now exist for many venture funds.

Global tensions remain elevated, so governments no longer wish to depend only on traditional contractors. They seek more private and agile firms to address battlefield needs because smaller companies offer distinctive skills and faster delivery.

Anduril wants to build its own factory in Israel while also leveraging local research and development. Land purchases have not started, but the plan follows Luckey's meetings in Israel before the March conflict with Iran. Those discussions involved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Defense Ministry director general Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, Budget Department head Brig. Gen. Nir Weingold, and other senior officials.

Interested in acquiring the startup Kela

The arrival of the world's leading defense company will strengthen Israel's thriving defense sector. As Globes previously reported, Luckey explored buying Israeli defense-tech startup Kela during his recent visit, yet the founders declined a sale for now.

Anduril's global approach relies on partnerships with local defense firms to adapt quickly to new markets. These ties involve both large and small companies across varied fields. One example is its strategic alliance with German giant Rheinmetall to grow activities across Europe.

The partnership covers two main areas: Barracuda series cruise missiles and Fury unmanned combat aerial vehicles. Barracuda missiles were launched with a promise of being roughly 30 percent cheaper than market rates. The lineup includes three variants. The Barracuda-100, the smallest, reaches about 157 kilometers and carries a 15-kilogram warhead that can be launched from ground or air platforms. The Barracuda-250 medium-range model targets distances of 370 kilometers with a 45-kilogram warhead and supports both air and ground launches. The largest, the Barracuda-500, is air-launch only and carries a warhead exceeding 45 kilograms over roughly 926 kilometers.

Fury is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle from Anduril priced at 25 to 30 million dollars, far below the cost of an F-35 fighter jet. The fifth-generation F-35 in Israeli Air Force service costs about 80 million dollars, while other versions reach 100 million dollars or higher.

Washington intends for the stealth drone, which flies at Mach 0.95 or about 1,160 km per hour, measures roughly half the size of an F-16, and features strong autonomous capabilities, to reach operational status with the US Air Force by 2029.

A possible move by Norkin into Anduril's Israel operations may signal Luckey's interest in selling aerial weapons and aircraft to Israel. Israel itself represents a modest market compared with larger opportunities elsewhere.

Still, Israel's combat-proven reputation, where weapons succeed in real operations rather than only tests, draws defense firms seeking to boost credibility and sales.

Anduril has already opened a local branch and formed strategic partnerships in South Korea. The US firm entered Seoul through a joint venture with national airline Korea Air to develop autonomous defense systems and shared aircraft.

The aircraft field is only one area of Anduril activity. In the maritime domain, both surface and underwater, the company partnered with Hyundai Shipyards to advance unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles.

A subsidiary in Australia and representative office in Japan

For the expanding Asia-Pacific region, Anduril launched its Anduril Australia subsidiary in March 2022, and its California headquarters continues to evaluate other growing markets worldwide.

This focus was evident last December when a representative office opened in Tokyo following Japan's rising defense budget. Those steps already produced a 1.2 billion dollar deal for the unmanned submarine Ghost Shark, developed with Australian partners.

Further plans exist. Roughly a year ago Anduril signed a tripartite agreement with Singapore and US firm Shield AI, which specializes in autonomous AI systems, for joint AI development. Singapore integrated its Defense Science and Technology Agency and air force into the project.

Developing a commercial aircraft for Abu Dhabi

Anduril's planned Israel branch will not mark its first major Middle East presence. In December 2024 it joined US company Archer to create a hybrid VTOL aircraft for commercial use in Abu Dhabi.

Anduril's record fundraisings demonstrate strong confidence in its outlook. Founded in 2017, the firm develops autonomous weapons systems, aircraft, missiles, and AI technologies. In May it completed a 5 billion dollar fundraising round at a 61 billion dollar valuation, the largest defense-tech round of 2026.

In its prior round of June 2025 the valuation stood just above 30 billion dollars. Prominent investors include Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, through Thrive Capital, which joined Andreessen Horowitz to lead the latest round that nearly doubled the valuation.

Cofounder and CEO Brian Schimpf stated that Anduril doubled revenue to 2.2 billion dollars in 2025, nearly doubled its workforce, and advanced more systems from development into production than in any previous year.