TLDRs;
- Ondas stock drops 6% as Israel demining contract raises timing uncertainties.
- $30M multi-year project spans 741 acres, milestone payments may delay revenue.
- Goldman Sachs discloses 4.2% stake, signaling significant institutional interest in ONDS.
- Defense peers slide too, while U.S. jobs and CPI reports may impact sentiment.
Ondas Inc (NASDAQ: ONDS) saw its shares drop 6.4% Tuesday following the announcement of a multi-year demining contract in Israel.
The stock traded at $9.68 in premarket activity Wednesday, holding steady after the prior session’s decline. Monday had seen a sharp surge of 6.7%, pushing shares to $10.34 before volatility returned.
The sudden swings highlight how sensitive Ondas’ stock has become to headlines and milestone-based project announcements. Investors remain cautious about when the company can convert its new contract into consistent cash flow and earnings.
$30 Million Israel Demining Tender
Ondas’ smart demining unit, 4M Defense, revealed it had won a tender exceeding $30 million for a multi-year land clearance effort in Israel. The project covers approximately 741 acres along the Israel-Syria border and is structured around multiple project milestones over up to three years, with the possibility of extensions.
CEO Eric Brock described the contract as a reflection of “increasing demand” for technology-driven land clearance, while OAS co-CEO Oshri Lugassy framed it as part of a broader “end-to-end” border security initiative. Despite the promising scope, the milestone-based nature of the contract has prompted caution among investors who want more clarity on timing and the likelihood of future expansions.
Major Shareholder Moves Highlight Interest
Adding another layer of attention, Goldman Sachs and its affiliated entities filed a Schedule 13G/A showing ownership of roughly 15.34 million Ondas shares, equivalent to 4.2% of the company’s stock. Such filings typically signal significant holdings and can influence market sentiment, particularly for stocks that react strongly to headline news like Ondas.
For traders, this combination of corporate news and large shareholder activity underscores why ONDS remains a stock that frequently sees sharp price swings. Volume also dropped sharply on Tuesday, with 56.3 million shares changing hands compared to 88.7 million the previous session, reflecting cautious market participation.
Defense Peers Also See Weakness
Ondas is not alone in facing premarket headwinds. Defense and drone-focused stocks also slipped, AeroVironment declined nearly 4%, Kratos fell about 5%, and Red Cat Holdings tumbled close to 8%. This suggests that sector sentiment, combined with individual company risks, can intensify short-term volatility for smaller-cap defense firms.
Investors continue to weigh macroeconomic factors alongside corporate developments. Upcoming U.S. data, including the January jobs report on Wednesday and the Consumer Price Index on Friday, could further influence sentiment around smaller-cap technology and defense names.
Outlook
Ondas’ stock appears likely to remain sensitive to both project updates and broader market factors. While the Israel demining contract represents a significant opportunity, milestone-based revenue and timing uncertainties make precise forecasts challenging. Analysts and investors will be watching closely for updates on project progress, milestone completions, and whether extensions or additional contracts could bolster Ondas’ revenue pipeline.


