AT THE FOREFRONT OF SECURE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

In a world where secure, global communication is a battlefield imperative, SATCOM technologies are essential to defense operations. A prominent player in this global area is Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ and TASE: GILT), which launched Gilat Defense at the start of 2025. A dedicated division, it is consolidating Gilat's existing defense expertise and expanding its global footprint in a focused, agile and specialized approach.

Led by defense industry veteran Gilad Landsberg (formerly with Rafael, Aeronautics and COO of Gilat), the creation of Gilat Defense reflects both strategic maturity and a growing demand for tailored SATCOM solutions that meet the stringent requirements of military, homeland security (HLS) and government users worldwide. It brings together the collective capabilities of Gilat, along with its US-based subsidiaries:

• Gilat DataPath, expert in ground terminals and field services, with a strong track record of providing reliable communications to the US Department of Defense (DoD), military and government sectors

• Gilat Wavestream, a leading provider of advanced Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs)

"Our key growth markets are shaped by global trends," says Landsberg. "Geopolitical tensions and conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, the Middle East, the South China Sea and even Europe, are driving increased defense budgets and demand for SATCOM-based solutions as a core enabler of a net-centric battlefield."

One-stop shop for end-to-end solutions
Gilat Defense is creating a one-stop shop for defense communications, continues Landsberg."From individual components like antennas, modems and amplifiers to fully integrated and complex SATCOM systems, our vision is to ensure that military and government organizations can access secure, reliable and resilient connectivity anywhere, anytime, on land, sea or air. Our solutions support beyond line-of-sight (BLoS) communications in the most challenging environments where conventional networks often fall short — among them, mobile, remote and high-risk operational theaters."

Proven Technology, Broad Applications
Modern defense operations need communication systems that support mobility, security, resiliency and adaptability, continues Landberg. "Whether it's ground vehicles, airborne platforms, naval assets or unmanned systems, our technology ensures seamless connectivity and mission-critical performance under the most challenging conditions."

Gilat technology, he explains, supports multi-orbit and multi-constellation environments, increasing resiliency and redundancy to maintain connectivity in dynamic environments, while allowing tailored optimization for each mission profile. "By integrating Gilat's advanced SATCOM expertise with DataPath's tactical terminals and Wavestream's amplifier technologies, Gilat Defense offers solutions few others can match. It's a case of 1 + 1 + 1 being greater than 3. This synergy enables us to exceed customer expectations and provide exceptional value and impact."

One example: Gilat's US subsidiaries recently partnered to deliver a global SATCOM solution to the US Army, including portable satellite terminals (STTs) and rugged SSPAs.
Its portfolio spans an array of defense applications to allow military and border forces to maximize their operational potential across land, sea and air. Among them are:

• On-the-Pause and On-the-Move communications
• Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
• Manpack systems
• Armored combat vehicle integration

Their components include:

• Modems and software-defined radios (SDRs)
• Antennae
• ESA terminals
• Block Upconverters (BUCs)

All are purpose-built on innovative technologies to support critical mission communications (COMMs/C6ISR) over multiple satellite constellations and orbits.

Leading with SkyEdge and Wavestream
Gilat Defense blends deep technical expertise with proven field service capabilities to support the deployment and operation of robust SATCOM infrastructures for military and government clients worldwide.

A cornerstone of what it offers is SATCOM On-The-Move (SOTM), where it provides a range of advanced lightweight, low-profile and highly durable antennae. These allow mobile forces — land vehicles, ships, aircraft — to maintain continuous, high-speed data connectivity even under the harshest operational conditions.

In unmanned aerial systems (UAS), Gilat offers BlackRay, a specialized solution built for long-range, beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) operations. It supports real-time video streaming and data transmission, making it a critical enabler for ISR and precision missions.

In the terminal space, Gilat provides a range of ground terminal configurations, from rapid-deployment units for field headquarters and tactical missions to man-portable terminals designed for individual operators and small teams in the field.

SkyEdge IV: The core of SATCOM connectivity
At the heart of all Gilat's SATCOM solutions is the SkyEdge network platform, with its latest generation, SkyEdge IV, designed to meet the evolving demands of military operations. SkyEdge IV supports:

• GEO, LEO and MEO satellites
• Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS)
• Software-Defined Satellites (SDS)

Gilat also offers military-grade modems like the Taurus-M, engineered for secure, multi-orbit, multi-waveform communications in contested or complex environments. And through its Wavestream subsidiary, it delivers high-power SSPAs and BUCs, both critical components for maintaining strong, stable signals across a wide range of operational settings.

"One of our key advantages is our ability to offer fully integrated SATCOM solutions, hardware, software and support services, customized to each client's needs," says Landsberg. "We prioritize secure communication, system resilience and redundancy to ensure operational continuity, vital in C6ISR operations."

Recent defense wins
Gilat Defense's entry into the defense SATCOM arena has already yielded significant contracts.

• In April 2025, it reported an $11+ million order from a leading UAV manufacturer for portable terminals, highlighting growing demand for broadband communications for unmanned platforms
• In the same month, it signed a $23 million potential five-year support contract with the US Department of Defense for STT maintenance and services
• Also in April, Gilat received a multi-million-dollar order from a global defense organization for advanced antenna technology
• In March 2025, it announced a $6 million contract for military communications solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, based on its SkyEdge II-c platform
• Earlier, it secured $5+ million in contracts from the US Department of Defense and international forces for DKET terminals and field support services
• It also made a strategic investment of up to $3.5 million in the drone-detection startup Crosense Technologies, in keeping with its long-term vision for defense and HLS.

Driving innovation forward
Innovation remains a pillar of Gilat Defense. "Our goal is not just about developing new tech, it's to solve real-world challenges for defense users and give them the edge they need," stresses Landsberg. "It's also to plan for the future, ensuring our solutions remain adaptable to evolving needs in defense and homeland security. An example is the GLT-1500, an SDR modem purpose-built for defense, which supports multiple waveforms, advanced encryption and operates in extreme conditions to meet diverse operational requirements.

Battle-tested, globally trusted
While many of Gilat Defense's client details are classified, Landsberg confirms that its systems are operational with the US Department of Defense, NATO allies and security organizations worldwide.
"Our systems have been deployed and tested in some of the world's toughest environments, where they've proved their reliability and performance," he notes. "From manpacks in the field to mobile terminals in armored vehicles, we deliver mission-critical communications that don't fail under pressure."

Looking ahead
Establishing Gilat Defense was a natural step in a world increasingly reliant on secure, networked communications. Challenges exist, acknowledges Landsberg, global competition is fierce and technological demands are ever evolving.
"But we're entering this battlefield well-prepared," he concludes. "Our ability to provide integrated solutions that combine terminals, networks, amplifiers and services gives us a very strong edge. From our base in Petah Tikva, we continue to prove that technological innovation, strategic thinking and deep customer understanding are the cornerstones of success, even in a global arena as complex as that of defense satellite communications."

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In collaboration with Gilat Satellite Networks