Israel’s Elbit wins $277M turret and munitions contract

Elbit Systems announced on February 18, 2026, that it has secured contracts valued at approximately $277 million from an international customer for the supply of 30 mm turrets and associated munitions, marking a new export order for the company’s land combat systems portfolio.

According to a company statement, the contracts will be executed over a three-year period and include deliveries of turret systems designed to enhance the firepower and survivability of armored personnel carriers (APCs). The identity of the customer was not disclosed.

The agreement centers on Elbit Systems’ UT30 MK2 turret, a configurable system that can operate in either manned or unmanned configurations. The turret is designed to increase combat capability while maintaining troop protection by allowing weapon operation from inside the vehicle hull.

As noted by the company, the UT30 MK2 features a modular architecture that enables integration with multiple weapon and sensor configurations. The system can be equipped with a 30 mm main cannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), providing armored units with a combination of direct fire and anti-armor engagement options.

The turret’s low-profile design is intended to reduce vehicle exposure while supporting advanced targeting systems and electro-optical sights. Its open architecture allows operators to convert between manned and unmanned configurations without major structural modification, supporting different operational doctrines and vehicle types.

Elbit Systems said the contract also includes the delivery of munitions compatible with the turret system, enabling integrated deployment of weapons and ammunition packages under a single procurement framework.

Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, said in a statement: “We are proud to be selected once again by a valued international customer. These contracts reflect the customer’s confidence in our advanced land systems and munitions technologies and further demonstrate our ability to deliver high-performance, operational solutions to armed forces worldwide.”

The UT30 family of turrets has been marketed globally as part of modernization programs focused on upgrading legacy armored fleets without replacing entire vehicle platforms. By installing remote or hybrid turrets, operators can improve firepower and situational awareness while limiting crew exposure to battlefield threats.

Modern armored vehicle programs increasingly emphasize modular upgrades that allow rapid adaptation to changing operational environments. Turret systems such as the UT30 MK2 are designed to support integration with digital battlefield networks, sensors, and guided weapons, reflecting a broader shift toward networked ground combat operations.

The announcement follows continued international demand for medium-caliber weapon stations as militaries adapt to evolving battlefield conditions shaped by drone threats, urban combat requirements, and the need for flexible armored formations. Remote and hybrid turret solutions allow vehicles originally configured for troop transport to perform additional combat roles.

Elbit Systems, headquartered in Israel, is one of the country’s largest defense companies and supplies land, air, naval, and electronic warfare systems to customers worldwide. The company has expanded its land systems portfolio in recent years, focusing on modular upgrades and export-oriented armored vehicle solutions.