ByANNA AHRONHEIM

JUNE 11, 2026 10:40

Updated: JUNE 11, 2026 14:11

Even amid ongoing tensions with Iran, more than a dozen Israeli defense companies are exhibiting at ILA Berlin, a leading European aviation and defense event that began on Wednesday.

Running from June 10 to 14, 2026, ILA Berlin features over 750 exhibitors representing 37 nations. Fifteen Israeli firms are present, offering combat-tested technologies to nations and businesses seeking to strengthen their arsenals as European defense budgets grow in response to persistent conflicts and regional tensions.

The Israeli participants are displaying solutions across aerospace and space technologies, air defense, unmanned systems and counter-drone measures, radar and electronic warfare, AI-supported command and control tools, and advanced homeland security products.

Besides major players such as Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, smaller firms include Aeromaoz, ASIO Technologies, Axon Vision, BIRD Aerosystems, Creomagic, eyesAtop, Magam Safety, Maris-Tech, Orbit Communication Systems, RSL Electronics, TSG, and Uvision.

Israel's Defense Ministry noted that the country's presence at ILA Berlin 2026 occurs during a record year for defense exports, which exceeded 19 billion dollars in 2025, partly fueled by expanded Arrow 3 cooperation with Germany.

Germany is reshaping its defense approach. Since 2022, Berlin has pledged substantial rises in military outlays, launched major acquisition initiatives, and set long-term goals to emerge as Europe's leading military force.

The nation is channeling resources into air defense, armored vehicles, precision munitions, and unified command systems, opening diverse prospects for global defense providers.

The Berlin Air Show highlights Germany's rising role as a defense center. Although ILA traditionally centered on aerospace, it has broadened recently to encompass wider defense and security innovations, mirroring Germany's focus on integrated air and missile protection along with stronger industrial ties.

Director of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yair Kulas, stated that Israel's involvement demonstrates the ministry's aim to enhance defense and strategic ties with Germany while exploring expanded commercial links with German industry and other European countries.

New partnerships

Despite pro-Palestinian demonstrations on opening day, the Defense Ministry described the exhibition as a key venue for advancing strategic collaborations with Germany and additional European partners.

Elbit Systems revealed a strategic alliance with Diehl Defense to jointly propose the SkyStriker loitering munition to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).

The release explained that Elbit Systems, its German subsidiary Elbit Systems Deutschland, and Diehl Defence will merge their technologies, production strengths, and operational knowledge to deliver a mature, high-performance loitering munition solution matched to Germany's defense needs.

The SkyStriker is an autonomous long-range loitering munition built to detect, follow, and strike operator-selected high-value targets accurately. It supports up to a 10-kilogram payload, can loiter beyond two hours, and reaches over 200 km. Launch options include land vehicles, the EuroPULS rocket system, naval platforms, containers, and aircraft.

The agreement covers local manufacturing, assembly, integration, and qualification work at Diehl Defence facilities if contracts are secured, aiding sovereign capability growth and bolstering Germany's defense sector.

No politics, just systems

Unlike Eurosatory, where France restricted Israeli firms from showing offensive weapons, ILA provides a setting without such political limits, enabling broader system presentations and direct engagement with German and European counterparts.

Shifters CEO Ofer Ballin recently noted to Defense and Tech by The Jerusalem Post that Europe is experiencing major shifts in force development, with geopolitical realities over the coming decade likely to outweigh political considerations.

Shifters CTO Assaf Chaprak added that Germany has consistently offered a stronger path than France, describing the French government's stance as pure antisemitism that is outrageous and shameful, yet still viewing Eurosatory as valuable for client and user interactions.

The Israeli National Pavilion opening ceremony occurred on Wednesday, led by SIBAT under the Israel Ministry of Defense, with leaders from Israel's defense industries attending.

Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, remarked that the displayed technologies provide the clearest illustration of Israel's role in supporting German and European security.

Israel, Germany, and Europe confront common security issues, such as the spread of Iranian-origin technologies into Europe and joint threats from terrorism.

The close strategic partnership between the two nations, including in defense, carries vast potential for future cooperation in other fields such as joint technological development and production, he added.