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Israel-India Business Guide - Defence & HLS
Israel's Defence Sector
While the product range of IAI is one of the widest in the
industry, the largest state- owned Defence Company is
fine-tuning it, in order to better compete in the world
market. This company made Israel a member of the
exclusive “space club” of countries that are capable of
developing and manufacturing launchers and satellites.
The company manufactures the Shavit family of launchers
and two lines of imaging satellites - these with electro
optical payloads (Offeq and Eros) and these with Synthetic
Apperture (SAR) radars (Tecsar). IAI is also the source for
Israel’s Amos Communication Satellites that serve large
parts of the world.
Israel is now the only country in the world with a fully
operational Theater Defence System. The Arrow-2 protects
Israel from ballistic missiles. Arrow-3 is in development
with improved capabilities.
While the defence side of IAI is very dominant, its civil
operations are extensive although less known. Its Bedek
Group is overhauling various types of aircraft and has
become one of the world’s centers for conversions of
passenger aircraft to cargo aircraft. The production line
of the business jets that are marketed by Gulfstream is
still working in a less than full capacity. The business jet
market is still trying to achieve the levels of yesteryears.
The company’s expertise has made it very active in the
naval arena. IAI develops and produces naval/maritime
radars and EO payloads for various platforms such as
helicopters, unmanned air systems (UAS) and other
aircraft. The company’s range of naval missiles includes:
the proven Barak naval point-Defence missile for both
sea-to-sea and sea-to-air targets. Naval platforms include
advanced patrol boats. IAI also modernizes and upgrades
vessels, weapon systems, Defence systems, and conducts
system integration for customers worldwide.
IAI is a world leader in totally integrated unmanned
air systems (UAS) solutions, with more than 800,000
operational hours of intelligence and targeting missions.
The company has developed a full range of UAS from
mini, through medium up to large ones like the Heron -TP
with a wingspan of a Boeing 737. IAI has penetrated the
world market for UAS that is growing at a very fast pace.
While the achievements in that field are very impressive,
the market has become hard to penetrate. France and
Germany have been evaluating the Heron-TP but now
face an initiative to develop a European system and to
buy one in that class from the US.
Israel’s space market is very limited in resources so IAI is
focusing its efforts on the world market. In recent months
the company is accelerating its penetration in the
Brazilian satellite market. Sources state that the Brazilian
market will have a demand for 10-14 satellites in the next
15 years, most of them for imaging purposes in the 100-
200 kg category.
Recently, the Brazilian authorities have issued an RFP for
a high capability communications satellite. In early April
IAI has signaled it plans to penetrate the Brazilian defence
market by investing in Brazilian electronic company IACIT.
This local company is working in the Defence, Radar
Meteorology and Control, Automation, Communication
and Information Technologies segments.
An overview of Israel’s leading Defence companies:
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
Defence
