Is Gilat Satellite Networks profitable in 2026?

Yes. Gilat posted FY2025 revenue of $451.7M (up ~48% YoY), GAAP operating income of $23.4M, and record Adjusted EBITDA of $53.2M as of February 10, 2026. Q1 2026 EPS of $0.18 beat consensus of $0.04, though revenue growth is order-driven and lumpy quarter to quarter.

Who is Gilat's biggest competitor?

ST Engineering iDirect/Newtec is Gilat's closest unbarred peer in satellite ground equipment. Viasat and Hughes Network Systems are vertically integrated operators, which creates channel conflict since they compete with Gilat's own operator customers like SES and Intelsat, limiting their direct threat.

Is Gilat acquiring Comtech's satellite business?

Yes. Gilat agreed on June 15, 2026 to acquire most of Comtech Telecommunications' Satellite & Space Communications segment for $157.5 million cash, expected to close Q4 2026 pending regulatory approval, aimed at doubling Gilat's defense business.

Could AI replace Gilat Satellite Networks?

Unlikely. Gilat's core business is physical hardware manufacturing, aviation certifications like Boeing linefit, and cleared defense contracting, none of which AI displaces. Gilat itself integrated GPT-5, o3/o4 and Claude Sonnet 4 into its Total-NMS via MCP in September 2025 as a product feature, not a threat.

Is it safe to take a job at Gilat Satellite Networks right now?

Reasonably, but with volatility. Gilat has 1,159 employees as of December 31, 2025 per its 10-K, grew revenue 48% in FY2025, but faces integration risk from the pending $157.5M Comtech segment acquisition (Q4 2026 close) and a stock down ~10% YTD to $11.64 as of July 20, 2026.

Did Comtech ever try to buy Gilat before?

Yes. Comtech Telecommunications agreed to acquire Gilat for approximately $532.5 million in January 2020, but the deal was terminated in October 2020, with Comtech paying Gilat a $70 million settlement.

Space, defense and state enterprises · Israel

Gilat Satellite Networks

gilat.com ↗

Israeli maker of satellite ground terminals for aviation, defense, and operators.

Defensible for now

Assessed 24 July 2026 · Evidence as of 24 July 2026

Real protection, with named pressure against it.

On the recordSince 24 July 2026 · Checkable from Q4 2026 · Every call on the record Checkpoint: Comtech Satellite & Space Communications segment acquisition expected to close

The call

Gilat's hardware certifications and defense ties keep it in the game while Starlink and a pending Comtech deal decide how much room it has left.

Gilat makes the ground equipment that lets planes, ships, and remote locations connect to satellites for internet and communications. It is hard to replace because planes need government approval before installing new equipment, the military trusts Gilat's systems, and big satellite operators are locked into using its stuff. The biggest question is whether Gilat can successfully buy and combine with Comtech in late 2026 without stumbling, and whether it finishes certifying new airplane equipment on time to hit its 2026 sales targets.

Why

AI pressure: None apparent. AI models don't build antennas or pass aviation certification; Gilat added AI to its NOC software as a feature, not a threat. Could AI do the core job? Unlikely.

Bigger players: SpaceX Starlink. Starlink is winning in-flight connectivity deals from tier-1 operators faster than Gilat's Boeing and defense pipeline can replace that revenue. Could a giant copy it? Probably.

What protects it. Aircraft linefit certification, defense clearances, and deep OEM integration that new entrants cannot get quickly.

What would change this call

Comtech Satellite & Space segment acquisition closes by Q4 2026 as targeted. Shows Gilat can execute the deal without cash strain or defense-team departures.
Boeing Sidewinder linefit certification and first deliveries occur in Q3 2026 as planned. Shows Gilat's IFC growth engine is on schedule, not slipping again.
Q2 2026 earnings (Aug 5, 2026) revenue lands at or above the ~$120.7M estimate. Shows order-flow smoothing and guidance credibility versus prior Q1 miss.

Key numbers

FY2025 revenue $451.7M, up 48% YoY (2026-02-10)
Record Adjusted EBITDA $53.2M in FY2025 (2026-02-10)
420+ aircraft flying with Sidewinder ESA terminals (2026-02-11)

Named risks

Comtech Satellite & Space segment integration could strain cash and distract management post Q4 2026 close. Severity: high
Boeing/Airbus Sidewinder linefit certification could slip again beyond targeted Q3 2026 deliveries. Severity: medium
Order-driven revenue recognition creates quarterly lumpiness, as seen in Q1 2026 revenue miss vs estimates. Severity: medium
ST Engineering iDirect winning multiple named Gilat operator or IFC deals in succession. Severity: medium
Starlink displacing tier-1 satellite operators' IFC business faster than Gilat's defense pipeline replaces it. Severity: medium

Rivals, as read in July 2026

Rival	Direction	Evidence
ST Engineering iDirect/Newtec	contesting	Flagged as unbarred head-to-head peer for operator/IFC deals, watch item as of 2026-07
Viasat and Hughes Network Systems	contesting	Structurally barred by channel conflict as vertically integrated operators competing with Gilat's own customers
Starlink (SpaceX)	gaining on	Displacing tier-1 operators' IFC business faster than Gilat's Boeing/defense pipeline can replace, per 2026 analysis
Comtech Telecommunications	contesting	Former 2020 acquirer of Gilat, now divesting its satellite segment to Gilat for $157.5M in June 2026

Questions people ask

Is Gilat Satellite Networks profitable in 2026?: Yes. Gilat posted FY2025 revenue of $451.7M (up ~48% YoY), GAAP operating income of $23.4M, and record Adjusted EBITDA of $53.2M as of February 10, 2026. Q1 2026 EPS of $0.18 beat consensus of $0.04, though revenue growth is order-driven and lumpy quarter to quarter.
Who is Gilat's biggest competitor?: ST Engineering iDirect/Newtec is Gilat's closest unbarred peer in satellite ground equipment. Viasat and Hughes Network Systems are vertically integrated operators, which creates channel conflict since they compete with Gilat's own operator customers like SES and Intelsat, limiting their direct threat.
Is Gilat acquiring Comtech's satellite business?: Yes. Gilat agreed on June 15, 2026 to acquire most of Comtech Telecommunications' Satellite & Space Communications segment for $157.5 million cash, expected to close Q4 2026 pending regulatory approval, aimed at doubling Gilat's defense business.
Could AI replace Gilat Satellite Networks?: Unlikely. Gilat's core business is physical hardware manufacturing, aviation certifications like Boeing linefit, and cleared defense contracting, none of which AI displaces. Gilat itself integrated GPT-5, o3/o4 and Claude Sonnet 4 into its Total-NMS via MCP in September 2025 as a product feature, not a threat.
Is it safe to take a job at Gilat Satellite Networks right now?: Reasonably, but with volatility. Gilat has 1,159 employees as of December 31, 2025 per its 10-K, grew revenue 48% in FY2025, but faces integration risk from the pending $157.5M Comtech segment acquisition (Q4 2026 close) and a stock down ~10% YTD to $11.64 as of July 20, 2026.
Did Comtech ever try to buy Gilat before?: Yes. Comtech Telecommunications agreed to acquire Gilat for approximately $532.5 million in January 2020, but the deal was terminated in October 2020, with Comtech paying Gilat a $70 million settlement.

Timeline

2026-07-22Clal Insurance reduced its Gilat stake by approximately 20.6% in Q1 2026
2026-07-20GILT stock down ~10% YTD to $11.64 vs 52-week high $20.93
2026-06-15Gilat agreed to acquire Comtech's Satellite & Space Communications segment for $157.5M
2026-05-13Q1 2026 results: revenue $110.47M, EPS $0.18 beat $0.04 consensus
2026-03-05Gilat demonstrated 5G NTN connectivity over GEO satellite at Satellite 2026
2026-02-24Gilat received $39M order for Sidewinder ESA terminals
2026-02-10FY2025 results: revenue $451.7M (+48% YoY), record Adjusted EBITDA $53.2M
2025-09-11Gilat launched AI-powered Total-NMS integrating GPT-5, o3/o4, Claude Sonnet 4 via MCP
2025-08-20Gilat awarded over $60M in Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal orders
2025-01-07Gilat closed acquisition of Stellar Blu Solutions and its Sidewinder ESA

Revision history

24 July 2026

First assessed. Defensible for now. The text above is fixed as of this date and is not edited afterwards.

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Sources

Gilat Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results (2026-02-10)
Gilat Increased Revenue Nearly 50% in 2025 on Strength of IFC Business (2026-02-11)
Gilat Satellite Networks (GILT) Earnings Date and Reports 2026 (2026-07-20)
Gilat closes acquisition of Stellar Blu, SatNews (2025-01-07)
Gilat Awarded Over $60 Million for Stellar Blu ESA Sidewinder Terminals (2025-08-20)
Gilat Continues Sidewinder Momentum With $39M Order (2026-02-24)
Gilat Satellite Networks (2026-03-18)
Gilat Awarded Over $60 Million for Stellar Blu ESA Sidewinder Terminals (2025-08-19)
Gilat Satellite Networks (GILT) Stock Price, News & Analysis (2026-07-20)
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. Terminate Merger Agreement and Settle Litig (2020-10-05)
Comtech Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell Most of Its Satellite and Space Communications Business to Gila (2026-06-15)
Gilat Satellite Networks - Headcount, Funding & Open Jobs (2026-06-20)