Former Mossad Director David Barnea has been appointed global president and chairman of Ondas Defense Ltd., a subsidiary of U.S.-based defense contractor Ondas Inc.
Barnea will lead international expansion efforts across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. His appointment follows the completion of a five-year tenure as head of Israel's national intelligence agency, during which he oversaw major operations and directed the advancement of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities within the organization.
Ondas stated that the appointment is separate from Barnea's government service. Internal Mossad legal advisers approved the transition in accordance with regulations governing the use of restricted or classified information.
In the role, Barnea will collaborate with senior leadership to assess capability gaps and integrate recent defense-technology acquisitions. The company has acquired autonomous ground robotics, aerial surveillance systems, precision-strike platforms and counter-drone technologies, which it plans to consolidate into a unified multi-domain platform.
The appointment reflects Ondas's strategy of pursuing significant acquisitions in the United States, Israel and Europe to provide AI-driven warfare systems to global defense clients.
