From Iron Dome at sea to AI-powered warfare Israel exports the lessons of October 7
The demand for combat-proven systems is reshaping the global defense market as countries seek Israeli technologies tested against missiles, drones, and modern battlefield threats.
The past week in Israel’s defense industry highlighted the direct link between evolving security threats and accelerated technological development. The operational reality since October 7 has forced the defense establishment and local defense companies to develop rapid "zero-time solutions", adapting existing technologies to counter emerging challenges, including long-range missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and complex aerial threats, in significantly shorter timeframes than traditional procurement cycles.
This sense of urgency has made "combat-proven" capabilities a central pillar of Israel’s defense export strategy. As countries in Europe and the United States confront similar challenges involving layered air defense, border security, and drone threats, they are increasingly seeking systems that have been tested under real battlefield conditions. The ability to provide reliable, field-tested platforms has therefore become a fundamental requirement in the global defense market.
The urgent need to protect offshore natural gas platforms and critical infrastructure from missile and drone threats has led the Israeli Navy to upgrade the 35-year-old INS Lahav. Rather than waiting years for the delivery of new vessels, the ship is being rebuilt with a naval version of Rafael’s Iron Dome system and an advanced Elta radar.
This "zero-time" approach allows the Navy to achieve capabilities approaching those of newer Saar 6-class corvettes at a fraction of the cost and in a much shorter timeframe.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled ELLYON, a mission aircraft designed to combine intelligence gathering (ISTAR) and electronic warfare capabilities on a single platform.
Using artificial intelligence to process data from multiple sensors in real time, the system is designed to detect, analyze, and disrupt enemy radar and communications from stand-off ranges. The platform aims to shorten the "intelligence loop" by enabling a single mission to identify a threat, process the information, and respond almost simultaneously.
The growing demand for Israeli defense technology in Europe was highlighted by Greece’s approval of a $4 billion plan to establish the "Achilles Shield" multilayered air defense network.
The system will integrate Rafael’s David’s Sling and SPYDER air defense systems alongside IAI’s Barak MX. The agreement, one of Israel’s largest defense exports to Europe, reflects Greece’s reliance on Israeli-developed radar and missile technologies as it seeks to modernize its military capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
Elbit Systems has further expanded its presence in the U.S. market with contracts worth more than $370 million from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Through its U.S. subsidiary, the company will provide national security capabilities focused on real-time situational awareness through 2029. The contracts reflect a broader trend of governments prioritizing operationally proven technologies to address increasingly complex border and security challenges.
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Israeli defense companies including Rafael and Elbit Systems are highlighting technologies developed and refined during recent military operations.
Featured systems include Rafael’s Iron Beam high-power laser system, delivered to the IDF in late 2025, and precision strike capabilities such as the GPS-independent SPICE 250 munition. The message to international customers is clear: Israel’s defense industry is offering systems that have moved beyond the testing phase and have already demonstrated their effectiveness in real-world combat environments.
As European countries accelerate defense spending and seek faster solutions to emerging threats, Israel’s ability to deliver proven technologies quickly has become one of its strongest competitive advantages.
