IDF soldier in special head gear (from Eran Efrat’s Facebook page)
Eran Efrat, an Amsterdam based Israeli entrepreneur, has collected $40 million so far to procure much needed military equipment like advanced helmets for the IDF forces fighting against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.
A Managing Partner at Verdiesel GmbH&Co.KG, Eran Efrat went to work raising the funds and acquiring the materials, such as helmets, once the IDF enacted a massive call-up of 3000,000 reservists after the barbaric October 7 Hamas attack.
Eran Efrat explained in what he called a” short educational” post about helmets that tactical helmets are called that because you can hang equipment on them – EMS, flashlights, etc.
They are very light, – they weigh 1.167 kilos(3.5 Lbs.) and are very comfortable.
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He explained further that by going through him instead of ordering helmets on their own, people can be sure that only effective and working helmets (e.g. they provide proper protection, the electronic work, they do not leak, etc.) get to IDF soldiers.
“I know the helmet looks nice, new, and shiny [in the store or ad],” he said, “but if it hasn’t passed an IDF ballistic test, it’s just another decoration for Purim and may not protect you in real time, God forbid.”
Helmets are a perishable product (5-7 years) and need to be specially manufactured, he explained.
“We are signed with the American manufacturers for most of their production and are trying to get more helmets all the time,” added Eran Efrat. “I currently don’t have an effective solution except to send as many helmets as possible to Israel and I know that others are doing the same as me, including approving other suppliers with the army.”
In an interview with Israeli publication Calcalist, Eran Efrat said he decided to focus on helmets and bullet-proof vests after research showed that this is what the soldiers most need.
But now he is also acquiring thermal drones, 360 degree cameras for armored vehicles, and medical equipment.
“There was a big gap, and you can’t cover everything,” he told Calaclist. “They needed everything from underwear to drones, but protective gear is the most essential – everything else, in my opinion, is nice to have.”
