Israel Chooses Xtend to Supply 5,000 Combat Drones to IDF Ground Forces

The Israel Ministry of Defense has selected Israeli company Xtend to supply 5,000 drones to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground arm following a competitive tender process under the “Blue and White” program.

The deal, overseen by the Deputy Chief of the Air and Sea Arms Procurement Unit, is managed by the Armaments Department in the Land Arm and the Land Technology Division within the Technology and Logistics Division. It is part of a broader strategy led by Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram to expand domestic defense production and strengthen local industries.

Xtend will deliver 10-inch drones with a payload capacity of 2.5 kilograms, typically used to carry small explosive charges. Israeli media reported that the drones, costing about NIS 3,500 each, amount to an estimated NIS 20 million (about $6 million) contract, including operating stations and VR glasses for operators. The contract also includes an option for 5,000 additional units, as per reports.

Industry experts describe the systems as low-cost first-person-view (FPV) assault drones, believed to be single-use suicide drones intended for IDF combat battalions. Training and operator education will also be provided by the company.

Xtend, founded in 2018, develops human-guided autonomous systems using VR/AR and AI to operate drones and ground vehicles in complex environments. Originally a gaming startup, the company shifted focus after the October 7 Hamas attack, when its drones supported IDF soldiers. Since then, its systems have been deployed to map tunnels in Gaza and intercept Hezbollah drones in northern Israel.

Xtend beat rivals including Robotican, Tehiru, CopterPix, and Elbit Systems for the contract, despite the fact that the winning drone model was not previously in its arsenal.

The company has also expanded internationally, supplying Scorpio drones to both the IDF and the U.S. Department of Defense. In July, Xtend secured a $10 million U.S. tender to supply drone swarms, with production taking place in Tampa, Florida.