Israeli Tech and Defense Firms Expand Global Reach with Major International Deals

Three major Israeli companies — NICE, Elbit Systems, and Unitronics — have secured landmark international deals, reinforcing Israel’s growing influence in global technology, defense, and industrial automation.

In the largest acquisition in its history, Israeli customer experience giant NICE has purchased German startup Cognigy for $955 million, aiming to redefine global standards in AI-driven customer service.

Cognigy’s platform, already used by industry leaders such as Mercedes-Benz, Nestlé, and the Lufthansa Group, enables companies to deploy human-like AI agents in over 100 languages. These agents automate customer interactions, freeing up human representatives to handle more complex issues.

“This is a historic moment for NICE,” said Scott Russell, CEO of NICE. “By integrating a market leader in conversational and agentic AI, we’re accelerating the adoption of AI around the world and creating groundbreaking value for our customers.”

The deal positions NICE as a dominant player in AI-powered customer engagement at a time when demand for automation and digital transformation continues to surge globally.

Elbit to Equip German Air Force 

Meanwhile, Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading defense technology firm, has secured a $260 million contract with Airbus to supply missile defense systems for Germany’s A400M military transport aircraft.

Over the next six years, Elbit will deliver its DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measures) system — specifically, the TMJ-MUSIC platform — which is already in operational use across Europe and in aircraft used by the French President.

The system autonomously detects and disrupts infrared-guided missile threats using advanced laser and imaging technology, and it requires no pilot intervention. Its modular design allows easy integration into various military and commercial aircraft.

“We’re proud to support Germany in safeguarding its strategic air fleet,” said Bezalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit’s President and CEO. “This contract reflects our continued leadership in airborne defense solutions.”

Elbit’s order backlog for Q1 2025 now exceeds $23 billion, underscoring robust demand for its technologies worldwide.

India’s Amber Group Buys 40% of Israeli Unitronics

In another significant development, Amber Group, a major Indian engineering conglomerate, has acquired a 40.24% controlling stake in Israeli industrial automation company Unitronics, marking Amber’s first investment in Israel.

The $122 million acquisition was made through the purchase of shares from FIMI Opportunity Funds, Israel’s largest private equity fund, and partner Haim Shani. FIMI realized a 4.8x return on its investment.

Unitronics, a publicly traded company, specializes in the design and manufacture of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with integrated human-machine interface (HMI), as well as servo systems and variable frequency drives (VFDs). The company serves global clients in the manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure sectors.

Amber Group, with $1.2 billion in annual sales and a market cap exceeding $3 billion, sees the acquisition as a strategic expansion into the smart automation and IoT markets.

Israel Strengthens Global Ties Across Sectors

These three major deals — in AI, defense, and automation — highlight Israel’s expanding global influence in technology and security innovation. They also reflect growing international confidence in Israeli companies as strategic partners across sectors, from Europe to Asia.

As global demand for AI, automation, and defense technology accelerates, Israeli firms appear well-positioned to lead the next phase of innovation on the world stage.