Australia evaluates Israeli ‘smart sight’ technology as drone threats reshape modern warfare
Australia’s Defence Force is evaluating an advanced Israeli-developed weapon sight designed to help frontline soldiers detect and neutralise hostile drones — a move that highlights both the changing nature of warfare and the increasingly complex politics surrounding defence procurement.
The system, known as SMASH 3000, is produced by Israeli defence technology company SMARTSHOOTER and is being assessed under the Australian Defence Force’s LAND 156 LOE2 program. According to multiple defence publications, including Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter and the Defence Blog, the evaluation will determine whether the system can be integrated into the ADF’s Dismounted Interim Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Ensemble.
LAND 156 LOE 2 is focused on protecting infantry and other dismounted troops from the rapidly growing threat posed by small, low-cost drones — a challenge now facing militaries worldwide.
Turning Rifles into Precision Counter-Drone Platforms
The SMASH 3000 is not a conventional weapon sight. Mounted onto a standard infantry rifle, it uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and advanced tracking algorithms to detect, lock onto, and track moving targets, including small and fast-moving drones.
Once a target is acquired, the system synchronises the weapon’s firing mechanism so that a shot is released only when a successful hit is assured. This dramatically increases first-round accuracy, effectively transforming a standard rifle into a precision, “smart-shooting” platform.
Unlike electronic warfare systems that attempt to jam or disrupt drones, SMASH 3000 provides a hard-kill solution — physically destroying the threat. This approach is increasingly favoured for infantry forces operating in remote, dispersed, or power-limited environments, where electronic countermeasures may be unreliable or unavailable.
Lessons from Contemporary Conflict
The ADF’s interest in SMASH 3000 reflects lessons from recent conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Middle East, where inexpensive commercial drones have become central to surveillance, targeting, and direct attack.
What were once niche threats now confront ordinary soldiers at platoon and squad level. As a result, counter-air defence is no longer confined to specialised units; it has become a frontline infantry concern.
According to SMARTSHOOTER, SMASH 3000 also enhances situational awareness, enabling soldiers to share real-time target data across units through a proprietary digital platform. This improves coordination and operational efficiency, particularly in fast-moving or decentralised combat environments.
Combat-Proven Israeli Technology
The SMASH family of systems is already operational and combat-proven, in service with armed forces in Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and other NATO countries. Variants exist for individual soldiers, remotely operated weapon stations, and unmanned ground vehicles.
Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter, Australia’s longest-running defence publication, describes the SMASH 3000 as SMARTSHOOTER’s lightest handheld system, noting that it is designed to maximise hit probability while minimising collateral damage — a growing concern in contemporary military operations.
At the core of the system is an onboard computer that continuously calculates ballistic solutions, tracks target movement, and synchronises shot release, ensuring accuracy even against moving aerial threats.
A Strategic Breakthrough — Amid Political Scrutiny
For SMARTSHOOTER, the Australian evaluation represents what the company has described as a “strategic breakthrough” into the Australian defence market, following extensive appraisal by the ADF.
“This further extends SMARTSHOOTER’s established presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Lachlan Mercer, the company’s director for Australia and New Zealand, adding that the evaluation could lead to follow-on purchases under other defence programs.
SMARTSHOOTER CEO Michal Mor said the company was honoured to support the Australian Defence Force and viewed the project as an important milestone in its long-term commitment to Australia.
The timing, however, is politically sensitive. The trial comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israeli defence technology, following the Israel–Hamas war and shifting diplomatic positions among Western governments.
In September, Australia — alongside the United Kingdom and Canada — formally recognised an independent Palestinian state. At the same time, public activism critical of Israel has intensified, with calls from civil society groups to restrict defence cooperation linked to Israeli firms.
Despite this, Australian officials maintain that procurement decisions are driven by operational requirements and capability needs. While Canberra has stated it does not directly supply arms to Israel, numerous defence export permits approved prior to the war remain in effect.
Capability Versus Controversy
The SMASH 3000 evaluation underscores a growing dilemma for Western militaries: how to balance political pressure with the practical necessity of protecting soldiers against rapidly evolving threats.
For the ADF, the appeal of the system lies in its combat-proven performance, low logistical burden, and soldier-level applicability. For Israel’s defence industry, the trial reinforces its reputation for producing technologies shaped by real battlefield demands rather than theoretical design.
Whether SMASH 3000 progresses from evaluation to wider adoption remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that as drones continue to reshape modern warfare, systems that allow individual soldiers to counter them effectively are no longer optional — they are fast becoming essential.
