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🇮🇱 Israel /Economy & Trade

Despite tensions, dozens of Israeli companies set to head to Eurosatory 2026

From Jerusalem Post · (7m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Over 30 Israeli defense companies will participate in France's Eurosatory arms expo in June, despite strained diplomatic and defense ties.
  • Israel previously halted defense procurement with France and faced bans from French arms exhibitions due to perceived hostile attitudes and actions, including Macron halting weaponry flow.
  • The participation signifies a complex relationship where economic ties remain, but defense cooperation has cooled significantly, with companies confirming attendance months in advance.

Despite significant diplomatic and defense tensions, a robust contingent of over 30 Israeli defense firms is set to participate in France's premier arms expo, Eurosatory. This return to the French exhibition, a crucial platform for the global defense industry, occurs even as Israel has halted defense procurement with Paris and faced past bans. The decision underscores the resilience and determination of Israel's defense sector to maintain its international presence and showcase its capabilities, regardless of political headwinds.

Over 30 Israeli companies are set to take part in France’s largest defense exhibition, Eurosatory, in June, despite Israel halting defense procurement with France and past bans on the Jewish state participating in weapons exhibitions in the European nation.

Introduction to the article, highlighting the companies' participation despite strained relations.

The strained relationship with France has been palpable, marked by accusations of a hostile attitude and France's decision to recognize a Palestinian state. French President Emmanuel Macron's earlier halt on weaponry to Israel and the ban on aircraft carrying military hardware overflying French airspace during the war with Iran further exacerbated these tensions. The past exclusion of Israeli companies from Eurosatory in 2024, justified by France citing the humanitarian toll in Gaza and operations in Rafah, left a bitter taste, though a court later overturned the ban.

Among the companies taking part will be Israel’s three largest defense companies, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries.

Listing key Israeli companies that will attend the expo.

However, the participation of major players like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries, alongside numerous other firms and the Defense Ministry's International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), signals a strategic imperative for these companies. They rely on such international forums to display their innovations, secure deals, and maintain their competitive edge. The fact that these companies confirm their attendance months in advance highlights the long-term planning and commitment involved, suggesting that the immediate political climate, while challenging, does not deter their fundamental business objectives. This event, therefore, represents not just a trade show, but a testament to the enduring strength and adaptability of the Israeli defense industry on the world stage.

The participation decision comes after Jerusalem said it was halting defense procurement with Paris in March, following Israel’s accusing France of adopting a hostile attitude toward it over the last two years, forcing the Jewish State to reevaluate how much it could trust sharing its defense products with the French.

Explaining the context of strained defense ties between Israel and France.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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