Israeli defense industry returns to global stage at Farnborough Airshow

Israeli defense companies are set to showcase advanced, combat-tested technologies this week at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, returning to one of the world's premier aerospace and defense exhibitions just months after restrictions were imposed at a major defense expo in France.

The event, which opens on Monday outside London, comes as European governments continue investing heavily in defense following Russia's invasion of Ukraine while seeking technologies proven in real-world combat.

Israeli manufacturers hope that operational experience gained during recent conflicts against Iran and its regional proxies will strengthen their position in the increasingly competitive global defense market.

Among the companies exhibiting is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, one of Israel's "Big Three" defense manufacturers alongside Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems.

Rafael announced this week that it will display systems that have been used extensively during Israel's recent wars against Iran and its terrorist proxies, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

The company said the operational record of its systems distinguishes them from technologies that have yet to be tested in combat.

According to Rafael CEO and President Yoav Tourgeman, the changing global security environment has increased demand for combat-proven defense systems.

"The security environment has changed fundamentally, and so have the expectations placed on defense suppliers," Tourgeman said. "Rafael’s portfolio at Farnborough reflects exactly that."

He said the company's display features systems that have been refined through operational experience rather than experimental technologies.

"These are not concepts or prototypes. They are combat-validated systems," Tourgeman said.

Tourgeman argued that this operational experience gives Rafael a competitive advantage.

"That combination of proven performance and delivery confidence is what Rafael brings to its partners, and it is what defines our relevance in this market."

Israeli defense executives have long argued that, despite diplomatic criticism from some European governments, demand for Israeli military technology has remained strong.

As European nations accelerate defense spending in response to Russia's continued military threat, Israeli companies have secured major contracts, particularly in air defense, cyber capabilities and unmanned aerial systems.

One of Rafael's headline exhibits is expected to be the Iron Beam laser air defense system, designed to intercept rockets, mortar shells and drones.

As militaries seek lower-cost alternatives to interceptor missiles—which are expensive to produce and replenish—directed-energy weapons such as Iron Beam have attracted growing international interest.

The company recently announced that it is preparing to introduce Iron Beam 450, an upgraded version of the system currently entering service with the Israel Defense Forces. Rafael will also highlight the Iron Beam-M and LITE BEAM variants, which are designed for different operational environments, including fixed installations, mobile platforms and forward-deployed positions.

Rafael will also showcase its ICE BREAKER fifth-generation cruise missile, which the company says can strike targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) in all weather conditions. The missile features a low radar cross-section and terrain-following navigation, enabling precision strikes while making it more difficult to detect and intercept.

Designed for launch from aircraft, ships and ground-based platforms, ICE BREAKER offers militaries flexibility across multiple branches of service, a capability that has become increasingly important as Western armed forces seek to expand and modernize their long-range strike capabilities.

Also on display will be Rafael's LITENING 5 targeting pod, which has been adopted by several allied air forces, including Germany's Luftwaffe for its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.

The Israeli-developed targeting pod has also been used in operations involving the interception of hundreds of drones during recent conflicts.