Israel expects to secure new contracts for its air and missile defence systems from European countries within weeks, as governments across the continent continue to strengthen their militaries amid security concerns linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Moshe Patel, director and general manager of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization, said interest in Israeli defence technology across Europe remains strong and is accelerating.
"There's a huge interest from Europe, from Western Europe," Patel told reporters on the sidelines of last week's Berlin Air Show.
While declining to identify the countries involved, Patel said at least one contract is expected to be signed within weeks.
"And there are discussions that maybe by the end of the year we're going to hear about more nations," he said. "So, it looks like the decision-making by those nations is expedited."
European governments have increased defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with many countries seeking stronger protection against missile and drone attacks.
Patel said the conflict has been a major factor behind growing interest in Israeli systems.
"It's mainly (driven) by what's happening between Russia and Ukraine," he said.
He added that developments in the Middle East were also influencing defence planning.
"Of course, they're looking very carefully what is happening in Iran and whatever will be good against Russia could be good for Iran. Whatever they're doing, it will be good for all those kinds of threats."
Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations that it poses a threat to European countries.
Israel has become a major supplier of advanced air defence technology to Europe in recent years.
Germany has purchased the Arrow missile defence system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The system is designed to intercept intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
Finland has acquired David's Sling, which is intended to counter short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats.
Patel said European interest is not limited to those systems.
Asked whether countries were looking at Arrow or David's Sling, he said there was also demand for Iron Dome, Israel's well-known short-range air defence system designed to intercept rockets and other nearby threats.
"It's a huge advantage to those nations that have enemies right on their borders," Patel said. "The ability to protect a city, protect a strategic area."
Patel declined to disclose the potential value of the upcoming agreements but suggested they would be significant.
The discussions are "about not minor numbers", he said.
His comments highlight the growing role of Israeli defence technology in Europe's security planning as governments seek to adapt to a rapidly changing threat environment.
Armenia is looking to turn shared environmental challenges into opportunities for regional cooperation, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlig...
In an interview with AnewZ’s Sabir Safarov, Houthi-aligned journalist Hussain al-Bukhaiti warns of possible attacks on Saudi Arabia’...
A Norwegian teenager recruited by a Swedish criminal network to carry out a contract killing in Britain has been sentenced to 20 years’ deten...
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Kenya has confirmed a second case of Ebola, intensifying efforts to prevent the spread of the virus after the country recorded its first-ever infection earlier this month.
A Norwegian teenager recruited by a Swedish criminal network to carry out a contract killing in Britain has been sentenced to 20 years’ detention after police uncovered the murder plot.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Romanian rescuers resumed their search for seven missing sailors on Friday (16 October) after a drone strike set a chemical tanker ablaze near the country’s Black Sea coast. The attacks have raised fresh security concerns along a vital regional trade route.
Students, lecturers and university staff marched on Argentina’s Congress in Buenos Aires on Thursday to demand President Javier Milei’s government implement a university funding law which would boost staff salaries and increase financial support to institutions to cover operating costs
A 16-year-old shooter opened fire on Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon in the United States, killing four people, including three children, before being killed by an armed member of the community who had pursued the assailant into the school, police said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment