Seventeen Israeli defense firms participated in the inauguration of the national pavilion at the 2023 Paris Air Show on Monday.
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The event follows a banner year for Israeli defense exports, which hit an all-time high of $12.5 billion in 2022. Israeli defense exports have doubled in less than a decade and increased by 50% over the past three years.
The Israeli delegation is being led by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and includes the ministry's Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir and other senior officials.
"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," said Gallant on Monday.
"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. 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," he added.
The Israeli leaders will "engage in discussions and foster collaborations with global counterparts to further advance Israeli defense industries and strengthen official partnerships," according to a government statement.
Held every two years, the world's largest air and aerospace defense exhibition attracts a diverse range of exhibitors, official delegations, professionals and audiences. Some 150,000 professionals and more than 2,500 defense industries are participating in this year's event, showcasing cutting-edge technological solutions in the aerospace, civilian and defense sectors.
"Defense industrial cooperation stands as a vital cornerstone of our strategic defense alliances with partners worldwide. Israel's defense establishment and industries have long been at the forefront of pioneering defense technology and solutions, earning international recognition and trust in our technological capabilities," said Brig. Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas, head of the Defense Ministry's International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT).
"We are honored to participate in this esteemed exhibition and look forward to further fruitful collaborations with our counterparts," Kulas added.
The Israeli companies will present a wide array of technological solutions at the national pavilion including air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, radar and laser technologies, missile warning systems, and advanced command and control solutions.
The Israeli defense industries participating are 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 Ltd. and UVision Air.
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During his visit, Gallant is slated to meet counterparts from France, Italy, Hungary and Romania.
Earlier this week, he met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Brussels "to discuss opportunities to expand military cooperation to counter regional threats."
Gallant and Austin agreed to continue collaborating to address "the wide range of threats posed by Iran, including its nuclear program, destabilizing regional activities and proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems and other lethal assistance throughout the Middle East and to Russia," according to a US readout of their conversation.
Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
