Israel Defense Prize 2024 Awarded for Groundbreaking Defense Technologies that Proved Critical During the Swords of Iron War

The awarded projects include the Israeli-developed Namer Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), the David'sPresident of Israel Isaac Herzog, Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir awarded the 2024 Israel Defense Prize today (Sunday) to five remarkable projects developed by the Israel Ministry of Defense, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Mossad, the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), and Israeli defense industries.

 Sling air defense system, and the 'Target Factory' project. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Y. of the Mossad. These winning projects have significantly contributed to the country's security and maintained Israel's technological and operational superiority on the battlefield during the Swords of Iron War.

The prestigious ceremony, held at the President's residence in Jerusalem, was attended by the Head of the ISA, Ronen Bar, the Head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and other senior officials.

1. David's Sling Air Defense System, developed by the Israel Missile Defense Organization at the Israel Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research & Development, the Israeli Air Force, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries' ELTA Division. The system, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, provides nationwide defense against medium-range missiles and rockets, and successfully intercepted dozens of rockets during the Swords of Iron War.

2. The 'Target Factory' Project, a collaborative effort of the Israeli Air Force, Military Intelligence Directorate, and C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate, developed a comprehensive target planning and strike preparation system. During the recent war, the project implemented shared information display capabilities between IDF branches alongside advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence, significantly enhancing strike effectiveness and close air support for maneuvering ground forces.

3. The Namer APC, a joint project of the Tank and APC Administration at the Israel Ministry of Defense, the IDF's Armament Systems Department, Technological and Logistics Directorate, and the Golani and Givati Brigades, and the Merkava Manufacturers Forum in the Manufacturers Association of Israel. This Israeli-developed vehicle proved crucial during the recent war, enabling significant operational achievements while protecting IDF soldiers and commanders through advanced technological capabilities.

4. A classified project by the Mossad, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and the Israeli Air Force that demonstrates exceptional technological innovation and operational boldness, making a unique strategic contribution to state security.

5. A groundbreaking intelligence project developed by the R&D Unit at the Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research & Development, the IDF Intelligence Directorate and Air Force, ISA, and Elbit Systems, which established a new technological discipline in the field of intelligence. The operational implementation of this system, especially during the Swords of Iron War, has been instrumental in the IDF's ability to overcome battlefield challenges and achieve intelligence supremacy.

6. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Y. of the Mossad for his three decades of service. Throughout his career, Y. was responsible for developing unique and innovative breakthrough technological systems that significantly contributed to Israel's operational capabilities.

The members of the award committee include Committee Chairman, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Amikam Norkin, Committee Secretary, Asher Wagner, and committee members: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Yacov Bengo and Prof. Shahal Ilani from the Weizmann Institute.

About the Israel Defense Prize: The Israel Defense Prize was established by Israel's first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben-Gurion, who sought to recognize the contribution of research and development personnel to Israel's security. The prize is named after Eliyahu Golomb, the unofficial commander of the Haganah organization. Past recipients of the Israel Defense Prize include groundbreaking projects such as the Uzi submachine gun, the Galil rifle, the Kfir combat aircraft, the Gabriel missile, the Popeye missile, the Merkava Mark 3 tank, Rafael's air-to-air Python missile, aerial defense systems including Arrow, Arrow 3, and Iron Dome, the Trophy active protection system for tanks and APCs, the Tzayad C4I system, the 'Tunnel Detection' project, the Iranian nuclear archive operation, the Ofek satellites, and more.