Bezhalel Machlis

President & CEO, Elbit

Search every verified Bezhalel Machlis interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Bezalhel Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, stated during the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call that the company’s order funnel is “stronger than ever” and that it sees growing opportunities in the US, Europe (particularly Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltics), as well as in the Gulf and parts of the Far East. He reported that the company’s backlog reached a record $30.2 billion, and noted that Elbit is investing heavily in directed-energy weapons, including high-power lasers, with hundreds of engineers working on these systems in Israel and partial deliveries expected soon. Machlis also said that Elbit has resolved its previous supply chain bottlenecks and now maintains multiple suppliers for key components as part of a strategy to control its own production. He highlighted that the company prioritizes self-funded R&D at nearly 7% of revenue, is increasing capital expenditure to meet demand, and recently doubled its dividend payout to $1 per share.