Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Paris Air Show (Ariel Hermoni IMoD)
The Israel Ministry of Defense’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) inaugurated the Israeli national pavilion at the highly esteemed 2023 Paris Air Show together with 17 Israeli defense industries. This event comes following a record-breaking year for Israeli defense exports, (read Jewish Business News story here) which reached an unprecedented peak amounting to over $12.5 billion dollars in 2022, compared to $11.3 billion in 2021. Israeli defense exports have doubled in less than a decade and increased by 50% in 3 years.
Israel has always been renowned for its defense industries. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), for example, has upgraded fighter jets and weapons systems acquired from other countries like the U.S. One famous example of such upgrades were side view mirrors added to supersonic fighter jets made in America. And adding such a mirror was not as simple a task as just screwing them on. The mirrors had to be specially designed to handle the high speeds and cold air of the high altitudes.
IAI is also behind Israel’s vaunted anti-missile “Iron Dome” defense system. Even countries like Germany are now buying Iron Dome tech like the Arrow 3 missile.
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There are other Israeli defense firms as well, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems – which last week revealed its new hypersonic advanced missile interceptor named “Sky Sonic” – and Elbit Systems. And, of course, Israel is known for defense systems other than airplanes and air defenses. It has its own homemade tank called the Merkava (Hebrew for chariot) and its own rifles like the Tavor. But the Paris Air Show is about air defenses and planes, not tanks or guns.
Renowned as the world’s largest air and aerospace defense exhibition, the Paris Air Show attracts a diverse range of exhibitors, official delegations, professionals, and audiences. Occurring biennially, this year’s event will witness the participation of approximately 150,000 professionals and over 2,500 defense industries, all showcasing their cutting-edge technological solutions in the aerospace, civilian, and defense sectors.
The Israeli delegation is led by Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, IMoD Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, Director of SIBAT Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, along with senior representatives from the Israeli defense establishment. The leaders will engage in discussions and foster collaborations with global counterparts to further advance Israeli defense industries and strengthen official partnerships.
Defense Minister Gallant took the opportunity to speak about Israel’s determination to defend itself against the continuing threat of terrorism and external threats from countries like Iran.
Gallant stated at the inauguration ceremony, “Israel’s ability to face threats is determined by the dedicated individuals who tirelessly work to develop state-of-the-art technology. This ongoing and highly challenging battle of intellect mostly takes place behind the scenes. In recent years, this intellectual contest has been gaining momentum, and I can confidently affirm that Israel surpasses its adversaries in both defensive and offensive capabilities.”
“Iran is closer than ever to gaining military-nuclear capabilities, and it is conducting a war of attrition against us by engaging in proxy terrorism,” he added. “This clear strategy aims to destabilize not only the region but also the world. In response to Iran’s efforts, the Israeli defense establishment is working to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, utilizing all the resources at our disposal.”
Israeli defense industries will present an array of technological solutions at the county’s national pavilion at the show including air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, radar and laser technologies, missile warning systems, and advanced command and control solutions. Notable technological solutions will include air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, radar, laser, and missile warning systems, command and control solutions and more.
Israeli defense industries participating in the national pavilion include Aeronautics, Ashot Ashkelon Industries, Bet Shemesh Engines, Bird Aerosystems, Bluebird Aero Systems, Copterpix, Creomagic, CTI-INTL Solutions, Elbit Systems, Enercon Technologies, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, SpearUAV, Steadicopter, Thermal Beacon, Tomer – A Government Owned Company, and UVISION Air.
