Innoviz Signals Defense Pivot with Ex-Rafael CEO as New Chairperson

TEL AVIV, Israel – August 31, 2026 – In a move that sends a clear signal about its future direction, LiDAR developer Innoviz Technologies has appointed Yoav Har-Even, a retired Major General and former CEO of defense giant Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, as its new Chairperson of the Board. The appointment is a definitive statement of intent, recalibrating the company’s focus from its automotive roots toward the burgeoning defense and homeland security markets.

The leadership change sees Har-Even, who has served on the board since July 2026, take the helm from Amichai Steimberg. Steimberg guided Innoviz through its 2021 Nasdaq listing and will remain a board member. While leadership transitions are common, this one is less about succession and more about strategic redirection. Innoviz, a Tier-1 supplier to major automakers, is betting that the same laser-based sensing technology that helps cars see the world can give modern militaries a critical edge on the battlefield.

"Mr. Har-Even's appointment as Chairperson reflects the strategic weight defense and security now carry for Innoviz," said Founder and CEO Omer Keilaf in a statement. "His experience leading Rafael and his years at the highest levels of the IDF give the Board deep insight into this space, strengthening Innoviz's ability to scale in these markets."

From Automotive Mainstay to Defense Contender

At its core, Innoviz’s strategic pivot is an exercise in leveraging a hard-won technological advantage. The company has spent years developing and hardening its LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems to meet the unforgiving standards of the global automotive industry. This process demanded not only high performance—delivering precise, 3D point clouds in real-time—but also extreme reliability, mass-producibility, and resilience to harsh weather conditions. Now, the company is betting that these same automotive-grade attributes are precisely what the defense sector needs.

This is where Yoav Har-Even’s appointment becomes more than just a personnel change; it's the acquisition of a strategic compass. His eight-year tenure as President and CEO of Rafael, one of Israel’s largest and most sophisticated defense contractors, saw him oversee the global expansion of systems like the famed Iron Dome. Before that, his three decades in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) culminated in the rank of Major General, with roles including Head of the Operations Directorate. This is not the resume of a typical tech chairperson; it's the profile of a leader who intimately understands the procurement cycles, operational requirements, and technological needs of modern defense organizations.

"Defense and security represent a substantial opportunity for the Company, and LiDAR is becoming a critical sensing layer in areas such as counter-UAS, unmanned ground vehicles, and perimeter security," Har-Even stated. His focus is clear: translate Innoviz's commercial success into military relevance.

The company has already laid the groundwork. In July, it launched "Perciz," a dedicated brand for its defense and homeland security solutions, and announced it had secured its "first multi-million orders from a defense customer." By offering its existing automotive-grade sensors for applications like drone detection, autonomous ground vehicle navigation, and securing critical infrastructure, Innoviz is executing a classic dual-use technology play.

The Dual-Use Doctrine: LiDAR on the Battlefield

The transition of LiDAR from civilian roads to contested territories represents a significant evolution in sensor technology. Unlike cameras, LiDAR is not dependent on ambient light, and unlike radar, it provides exceptionally high-resolution 3D data. This makes it ideal for identifying and classifying objects with a precision that is critical for autonomous systems and threat detection.

In a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) role, for example, Innoviz’s LiDAR can detect, track, and classify small, fast-moving drones that may elude traditional radar. For unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), the technology provides the "eyes" for navigating complex, GPS-denied environments, identifying obstacles and potential threats with far greater detail than other sensors. The same technology that helps a self-driving car avoid a pedestrian can help an autonomous military vehicle navigate a rubble-strewn street or a dense forest.

However, the battlefield presents challenges beyond those of a public highway. Military-grade systems must be robust against extreme temperatures, dust, and vibrations, as well as resistant to electronic warfare and jamming. While Innoviz touts its automotive-grade durability, successfully penetrating the defense market will require proving its technology can meet these heightened standards and integrate seamlessly into complex, existing military command-and-control systems.

A High-Stakes Bet Amid Market Scrutiny

While the strategic logic is compelling, Innoviz’s pivot comes at a challenging time for the company financially. The broader market for autonomous vehicle technology has faced headwinds, and like many of its peers, Innoviz has seen its valuation come under pressure. As of late August, its stock (INVZ) carried a "Hold" rating from some analysts, with a "Neutral" rating from TipRanks' AI Analyst, which cited "weak financial performance" and "ongoing cash burn" as key concerns.

This context makes the move into defense both an opportunity and a necessity. The defense market offers the potential for large, long-term contracts that could provide a more stable revenue stream than the cyclical and highly competitive automotive sector. However, defense procurement is notoriously slow, and competition includes established defense primes with deep-rooted government relationships.

Har-Even’s appointment is designed to navigate precisely these challenges. His experience at Rafael provides invaluable insight into securing government contracts and managing the long development and sales cycles inherent in the defense industry. His deep network within the international defense community, particularly among nations allied with Israel, could open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

This background is a double-edged sword. Israel's reputation as a "Startup Nation" is built on the well-trodden path from military service to high-tech entrepreneurship, giving its companies a unique edge in innovation and operational know-how. Yet, a chairperson with a high-profile IDF and Israeli defense industry background could create political sensitivities in certain international markets. Innoviz will need to carefully manage its global positioning, balancing the strategic advantage of its Israeli defense DNA with the demands of being a global commercial supplier. For now, the signal is unambiguous: Innoviz is looking to the battlefield to secure its future.