La Bourget - the Paris Air Show, is one of the most important showcases for military, defense, and aviation products and developments. This year marks the 49th anniversary of the show, and Israel will, once again, put on display some of the groundbreaking defensive and weapons systems developed here.
Two of the most exciting products coming out of Israel this year - and, observers said, two of the most exciting products to be on display at the show altogether - are the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system, and the Trophy "Windjacket" active protection system for light and heavy armored fighting vehicles.
The Iron Dome system, already being successfully deployed in southern Israel, was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems/ The version to be unveiled at the Paris show can be mounted on trucks, allowing it to redeploy at different positions quickly. The Trophy system intercepts and destroys missiles and rockets fired at tanks and armored vehicles with a shotgun-like blast. This system, too was developed by Rafael, in coordination with IAI's Elta Group, and was successfully deployed for the IDF earlier this year.
Other products and technologies on display will include Israel Aircraft Industry's MLGB (Medium-weight Laser Guided Bomb), an advanced laser/GPS-guided long-range projectile with a 115 kg warhead, said to be highly accurate and providing rapid point-and-shoot capabilities from fighter jets and light planes. IAI will also be showing its AD-STAR (Air Defense and Air Traffic Control Radar) 3D portable radar system used for air defense, early warning, and air traffic-control purposes.
Also on display will be the latest developments for Rafael's popular Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile series, in use by 20 countries around the world and considered among the most accurate missiles in the world, as well as new versions of the SPYDER anti-aircraft missile system.
Representing Rafael at the show will be Rafael Board Chairman Ilan Biran, and CEO Yediya Ya'ari.