Israel’s Elta Wins USAF Contract For 21 MANPADS Anti-Aircraft Kits

US Air Force has awarded contract to Elta for 21 MANPADS anti-aircraft defense kits from costing $15.5 million to be manufactured in Israel.

“ELTA North America [in] Annapolis Junction, Maryland, has been awarded a $15.5 million US Air Force contract for counter-unmanned aerial systems,” the USAF announced Tuesday.

Production of the kits will be performed in Israel.

ELTA, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, will provide the procurement, delivery, and training of 21 Man Portable Aerial Defense System (MANPADS) kits, the Defense Department said.

The delivery of the kits to continental US locations is expected to be completed by July 28, 2017,” the announcement added.

Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SLSAMs) used against low-flying aircraft and helicopters.