Leonardo DRS, Israeli company to merge

Arlington-based Leonardo DRS Inc., a subsidiary of Italian defense contractor Leonardo SpA, and Israel-based Rada Electronic Industries Ltd. have entered into a definitive agreement to merge and become a combined public company later this year, the contractors announced Tuesday.

Rada will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, and the new company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol “DRS.” The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Combined, the two entities had $2.7 billion of revenue in 2021, according to a news release. At the end of the first quarter, the combined companies had $197 million. Leonardo DRS will acquire 100% of the share capital in Rada in exchange for about 19.5% ownership to Rada stockholders. Each of the companies’ boards of directors approved the transaction.

After closing, Rada will become a wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary of Leonardo DRS and operate as a business unit within DRS’s Advanced Sensing and Computing segment.

Leonardo DRS and Rada have worked together in the past and together they will work across a portfolio of defense products, including advanced sensing, force protection, network computing, electrical power and propulsion.

“The combination of Rada’s tactical radar capabilities and Leonardo DRS’ strength as a premier mid-tier defense provider make the combined company a leader in the rapidly growing force protection market, increases our addressable market, expands international opportunities and ultimately unlocks value for shareholders,”  Leonardo DRS  CEO William J. Lynn III said in a statement. “The transaction also provides flexibility for the combined company to add capabilities in Leonardo DRS’ core markets through targeted acquisitions and strategic investments as we expect to supplement strong organic growth with M&A as part of our overall strategy going forward.”

The deal comes months after Leonardo DRS announced plans to sell off its satellite business. The company was on the verge of going public before its parent company hit the pause button in March due to “adverse market conditions.”

Leonardo DRS, formerly DRS Technologies Inc., produces electronic defense systems in three divisions: advanced sensor technologies, network computing and communications, and integrated missions systems.

“The conflict in Ukraine has underscored the vulnerability of forces to drone attacks and has highlighted the need for modern, capable force protection systems,” Lynn said in a statement. “Not only is this accelerating U.S. purchases of these systems, but it is moving European countries, which are considerably behind in this area, to acquire more critical force protection assets. The combination of Rada and Leonardo DRS will open international market opportunities, particularly in short-range air defense, counter-UAS, counter rockets, artillery and mortars (C-RAM) and vehicle protection systems.”

Lynn will still head the company. and the head of Rada in Israel is expected to continue to run the business but as part of Leonardo DRS, a spokesman said.