Meeting rising demand, Israeli defense firms put products on display in Paris

The Defense Ministry will present a wide array of defense companies and their technologies at Israel’s National Pavilion at the 2022 Eurosatory international defense and security exhibition that will be held next week in Paris.

The exhibition, held every other year, is considered one of the largest and most important in the world, with over 1,800 companies from 63 countries exhibiting their latest products to over 57,500 visitors from all over the world, including official delegations from 92 countries, according to the organizers.

Fifty-six Israeli companies will be displaying their technologies including in the fields of robotics, unmanned aircraft systems, satellites, protection equipment for armed forces, and rescue equipment, according to a statement by SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate at the Defense Ministry.

“We are very proud of almost 60 Israeli defense industries participating this year,” SIBAT director Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas said. “We will present a wide array of groundbreaking technologies that integrate broad operational experience and provide solutions for varying challenges both on the current and future battlefields.”

The Defense Ministry believes there will be a general rise in demand for defense products by various nations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Israel seeking to meet some of those demands.

Israeli arms sales in 2021 hit a record of $11.3 billion, with officials citing a sharp increase in demand for Israeli-made weapons.

A SPYDER surface-to-air missile is fired in a test in an undated photograph. (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.)

In 2021, similar to previous years, Europe was the largest purchaser of Israeli defense goods, buying 41 percent of total exports.

“Europe is one of the most important markets that we have. But, as you can understand, there is interest in Israeli cutting-edge technologies all over the world. With our experienced operational background, our technologies are highly appreciated all over the world,” Amira Ilany, director of the Europe and North America Division in SIBAT, told reporters.

Israeli companies exhibiting at the pavilion include Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, IMI Systems, Israel Weapons Industries, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, among dozens of others smaller companies.

“The Defense Ministry integrates and supports the Israeli defense small and medium enterprises as an important part of the ministry’s value system,” Ilany added. “We deem it of the highest importance to strengthen these innovative industries, and many of them will be participating in the upcoming Eurosatory exhibition.”