Israel Ministry of Defense, Tel Aviv (2026)

09/09/2026

Israel and Cyprus Strengthen Cooperation in Emergency Preparedness and Response 🇮🇱 🇨🇾

Israel and Cyprus are further deepening their bilateral cooperation in the field of emergency preparedness and response, as part of the understandings reached between the leadership of both countries to strengthen coordination and mutual assistance in times of crisis.

As part of this ongoing cooperation, the Head of Israel’s National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) at the Israel Ministry of Defense, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Itzik Bar, conducted a working visit to Cyprus and met with senior Cypriot officials responsible for defence, civil protection and emergency management.

During the visit, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Bar met with the Ministers of Interior and Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Major General Harris Georgiou, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defence and designated Deputy Chief of the National Guard, Acting Civil Defence Commander Colonel Theodoros Lemoniatis, as well as additional senior officials from Cyprus’s defence and emergency-response authorities.

The discussions focused on advancing a joint Israel–Cyprus work plan for 2026–2027, strengthening professional coordination, expanding the exchange of knowledge and operational expertise, and developing additional mechanisms for cooperation in preparedness and response to major emergency scenarios.

The visit also included a meeting at the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) in Paphos, as part of preparations for Israel’s participation in the regional coordination framework for responding to major wildfire emergencies.

The visit reflects the shared commitment of Israel and Cyprus to strengthening regional resilience and enhancing their ability to provide coordinated and effective responses to natural disasters and other emergency situations.

The Israeli delegation included the Military Assistant to the Head of NEMA and the Head of the Strategic Cooperation Division, which has been leading the development of the professional cooperation and the coordination of the visit. Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Oren Anolik, and Deputy Ambassador Kobi Weller also participated in the meetings.

06/09/2026

Israel Ministry of Defense Holds Professional Seminar on the Japanese Defense Market for Israeli Defense Industries 🇮🇱 🇯🇵

The International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) within the Israel Ministry of Defense held a professional seminar on the opportunities and practical tools for doing business in the Japanese defense market. The seminar was led by the Head of SIBAT, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, with the participation of the Director of the Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen. Participants included representatives of Japanese trading houses and manufacturers, along with some 70 Israeli companies.

The program featured a range of lectures alongside practical sessions on translating Israeli defense tech into deals in the Japanese market, as well as an overview of differences in business culture. Networking and B2B meetings were held in parallel between representatives of the Israeli companies and Japanese counterparts from the innovation, trade, and investment sectors, aimed at exploring concrete opportunities for cooperation.

The seminar also introduced BRIDGE, a new program offering business mentorship and guidance to defense companies entering the Japanese market. Run in partnership with a professional body and lasting approximately three months, the program is designed for a limited number of companies in each cycle. Participants will receive close, one-on-one mentoring from Japanese industry professionals and will develop a business plan for the Japanese market, concluding with a showcase event in Japan and face-to-face business meetings.

These initiatives join the broader efforts led by the Ministry of Defense to expand and diversify the range of markets open to the Israeli defense industry, as part of its strategy to grow defense exports as a means of strengthening IDF force build-up, advancing Israel’s foreign policy, and reinforcing national industry and the economy.

01/09/2026

Years of Joint Work Become an Operational Reality: INS Drakon En Route from Germany to Israel

The send-off ceremony for Israel’s sixth submarine, INS Drakon, was held this week at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany. The ceremony was attended by VADM Eyal Harel, Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy; RADM Amir Chimney, Head of the Technology, Logistics and Material Command of the Israeli Navy; Deputy Director General and Head of the Defence Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Zeev Landau; Israeli Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Mr. Ron Prosor; VADM Jan Christian Kaack, Chief of the German Navy; representatives of the Israeli Navy and the Ministry of Defence who have been involved in the project; and representatives of the shipyard in Germany.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the two countries’ joint planning and construction phase, as well as the beginning of the submarine’s voyage to Israel.

INS Drakon is the third and final submarine in the Dolphin-class AIP series purchased by the Ministry of Defence for the Israeli Navy. The submarine incorporates innovative and advanced technologies that place Israel at the forefront of global military technology and will enhance the Israeli Navy’s operational flexibility for years to come.

The Israeli flag was raised aboard the submarine, officially marking the beginning of its voyage to Israel.

The submarine’s departure was accompanied by a large-scale security operation led by the Ministry of Defence’s Security Department in cooperation with German security forces. Upon the arrival of Israel’s sixth submarine, a state ceremony will be held at the Haifa Naval Base.

Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, VADM Eyal Harel: “Today, many years of thought, planning, development, construction, innovation, and work are becoming an operational reality. We stand here witnessing the moment when the future submarine of the Israeli Navy, the IDF, and the State of Israel begins its journey home. INS Drakon, together with the three Dakar-class submarines that will join the Israeli Navy, will form a major part of the future of the Submarine Flotilla, the Israeli Navy, and the IDF. They will bring more advanced capabilities, greater operational range, longer endurance on missions, and significant operational power. Trained fighters and commanders will serve aboard the submarine, operating covertly, in the dark and in silence, far from home. At times, they will operate under conditions in which only they will know what is happening around them, and only they will bear the responsibility for making the right decision. That is precisely the spirit of Israel’s Submarine Flotilla.”

Deputy Director General and Head of the Defence Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Zeev Landau: “Today, we are sending off the most advanced and complex weapons system in the IDF. This vessel is a masterpiece of German industry, developed in close cooperation with the Israeli Navy and under the contractual management of the Ministry of Defence. Relations between Israel and Germany have developed over the years into a strategic partnership between two allies and technological powers that complement one another — a partnership based on shared values and engineering and technological capabilities at sea, on land, and in the air. In accordance with the Ministry of Defence’s strategy, we are now entering a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries. We are holding extensive discussions on future projects aimed at strengthening mutual resilience and expanding cooperation into new areas of joint development and production.”

Israeli Ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Mr. Ron Prosor: “The delivery of the submarine is a testament to the depth of the strategic partnership between Jerusalem and Berlin. The two countries stand together, shoulder to shoulder, with the goal of finding shared solutions to unprecedented strategic challenges in order to ensure stability and security.”

TKMS CEO, Mr. Oliver Burkhard: “With the departure of INS Drakon, we are successfully completing a complex and challenging program that, over the years, has been characterized by trust, technological expertise, and shared responsibility. Israel is an important partner for us in the maritime arena. With the Dakar-class submarines, we are continuing our cooperation and demonstrating that TKMS not only develops complex naval programs but also brings them to successful and reliable completion.

31/08/2026

An approximately €3 billion deal: Israel and Greece have signed the massive "Achilles Shield" agreement, under which Israel will build Greece a multi-layered air defense array based on Israeli systems architecture - including David's Sling and SPYDER, manufactured by Rafael, and the BARAK MX system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

This is the largest defense export deal in the history of Israel-Greece relations, and one of the largest in the history of the State of Israel.

Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, and his Greek counterpart, Ioannis Bouras, signed an approximately €3 billion defense export agreement today (Monday) in a ceremony at the IMOD's headquarters. Under the deal, Israel will build Greece a comprehensive, multi-layered air defense array, drawing entirely on Israeli-made systems and on the extensive operational experience Israel's defense establishment has gained during the war.

The ceremony was attended by the Head of the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation (SIBAT), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas; the Head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold; the Head of the Israeli Missile Defense Organization within the DDR&D, Moshe Patel; Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman; IAI CEO Guy Barlev; and other senior officials.

The program, known in Greece as "Achilles Shield," is one of the largest defense deals in the country's history. This marks the first time the IMOD will supply a complete defense array against a wide range of threats - from ballistic missiles and aerial threats to hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The "Achilles Shield" deal includes:
* The David's Sling system, developed by the Israeli Missile Defense Organization within the Ministry's DDR&D, with Rafael as prime developer
* The BARAK MX system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
* The SPYDER system, manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
* MMR multi-mission radars for air surveillance, manufactured by ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of IAI
* A new national command and control system, which will consolidate the full range of air defense capabilities, and will be developed by Rafael

In addition, a supplementary deal valued at €26 million was signed during the meeting for the sale of Rafael's Drone Dome systems, to defend strategic sites against UAVs and drones and to reinforce existing defenses.

Furthermore, as part of ongoing dialogue with the Hellenic Republic Ministry of National Defence, and as part of the Government-to-Government (G2G) activity between the two ministries, Israel will expand industrial defense cooperation with Greece, including the transfer of knowledge and technology to the local industry.

This project marks another milestone in defense cooperation between Israel and Greece, a key strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece's choice of Israeli technology as the backbone of its most ambitious air defense buildup program in the past decade reflects the depth of trust built between the two countries.

This is yet another expression of the comprehensive reform within the Ministry of Defense's strategy, led by Minister of Defense Israel Katz and Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, to expand defense exports as a central tool for strengthening the IDF's force buildup, influencing Israel's foreign policy standing worldwide, and bolstering the Israeli defense industry and economy.

Since the outbreak of the war, the Ministry and the defense industries have been operating under an emergency framework that combines production for the IDF with continued supply to partner countries abroad. The operational successes of Israeli systems on the battlefield continue to reinforce global demand for Israeli defense tech.

16/08/2026

Israel and Honduras Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Deepen Defense Cooperation 🇮🇱🇭🇳

Minister of Defense Israel Katz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Honduras’ Minister of Defense, Enrique Rodríguez Burchard, to deepen defense cooperation between the State of Israel and the Republic of Honduras.

The signing ceremony took place during an official visit by a senior delegation from Honduras’ Ministry of Defense to Israel, attended by Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, the Senior Deputy Head of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau, Israel’s Defense Attaché to Honduras, and additional senior officials from the defense ministries of both countries.

Honduras is an important partner of Israel in Central America, and has been notable over the years for its support of Israel in the international arena. The MOU signed today constitutes a significant milestone in strengthening defense relations between the two countries and establishes a framework for long-term cooperation based on shared interests and values.

During the visit, the Honduran Minister of Defense, the Minister of Internal Security, and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Honduran Armed Forces held wide-ranging security discussions, during which IMOD Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram presented the Ministry’s strategy.

As part of the dialogue, the parties discussed a range of shared strategic and security issues and examined ways to expand cooperation between the two countries. The Honduran delegation received a briefing on the security and operational challenges Israel has faced in recent years, including key lessons from the multi-front war and from contending with evolving and emerging threats in the region.

The delegation was briefed on the IMOD’s capabilities and activities, as well as key aspects of Israel’s defense and defense-industrial establishment. The parties explored relevant opportunities to expand defense cooperation, including in areas of mutual interest.

The MOU with Honduras joins a series of defense cooperation agreements advanced by the IMOD over the past year with partners around the world, as part of the Ministry’s strategy to expand Israel’s circle of defense partnerships, strengthen strategic ties with friendly nations, and deepen cooperation between Israel’s defense industries and international markets.

11/08/2026

President of the State of Israel visits the DDR&D at the Israel Ministry of Defense: "Israel is a power of development and revolutionary technologies that preserve our security superiority”

President of the State Isaac Herzog visited today the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D - MAFAT) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD).

The President first received a briefing from the Head of the DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold and additional senior officials. During the briefing, he was presented with the key lessons and insights that have crystallized over the course of the war, as well as the initiatives aimed at strengthening Israel's technological independence and expanding international collaborations, as part of the IMOD’s strategy to preserve the State of Israel's technological superiority.

Following this, the President was shown groundbreaking technologies in the fields of intelligence, energy weapons, robotics, and neurotechnology. Among them was a neurofeedback system designed to treat post-traumatic stress by improving sensory and emotional regulation - an innovative technology currently being examined within the defense establishment as a tool for strengthening the mental resilience of servicemen and servicewomen.

President of the State Isaac Herzog: “The DDR&D, whose name precedes it around the world, is the senior national body responsible for developing defense systems of every kind. Thanks to these developments, Israel is a power of development and revolutionary technologies that preserve our security superiority. I thank you, Dr. Daniel Gold, and your wonderful team. I was deeply impressed by the developments and technologies we saw here - you walk in and meet some of the most brilliant minds and dedicated people, who work day and night so that we can be safer. The developments here are an enormous asset not only to Israel but to humanity as a whole."

Head of the IMOD’s DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold: "Precisely at this time, after nearly three years of war on various fronts, it is essential to continue investing in the development of the next generations of technological capabilities - those that will produce the next surprises for the enemy and ensure the IDF's qualitative edge in the years ahead. I want to express my deep appreciation to the employees of the DDR&D for their dedication and contribution to the security of the state, and to thank the President of the State for his visit and his partnership in the vision of strengthening Israel's technological superiority."

06/08/2026

Israel MOD Director General Meets Leading Defense-Tech and Startup CEOs on Strategy: Ministry Orders Reached Approximately $330 Million - Double the Same Period Last Year

Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram held a brainstorming session with the CEOs of roughly 20 leading defense-tech and startup companies, focused on the Ministry's strategy to advance Israel's munitions independence, strengthen its qualitative and technological-defense edge, and deepen cooperation with the defense establishment.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, the Head of the Budget Department and Economic Advisor to the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Brig. Gen. Nir Weingold; the Deputy Director General and Head of the Planning Department, Racheli Chen; the Deputy Director General and Head of the Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD), Ze’ev Landau; and additional senior officials. Companies represented at the forum included Xtend, SmartShooter, Kela, Ondas, Esh-Tech, and others.

The Director-General and senior ministry officials presented the CEOs with the IMOD's strategy, centered on: strengthening Israel's munitions independence; preserving and expanding its qualitative edge through the development of "the next surprises"; increasing defense exports; and broadening the strategic partnership with the United States and other countries. The meeting enabled the companies to raise the key challenges facing defense startups, allowed the Ministry to deepen its support for them, and advanced Israel’s unique defense-tech ecosystem, widely regarded as one of the world's leading.

According to figures presented by the Head of the DDR&D, orders to defense startups in the first half of 2026 totaled approximately $330 million (approximately NIS 1 billion) - double the amount in the same period last year. The number of defense-tech companies operating under the Ministry's oversight since the start of the war has risen to 322, driven by growing demand at home and abroad and by a series of measures taken by the Ministry, led by the DDR&D together with the Budget Department and other departments, to strengthen the defense-tech and defense-startup ecosystem in Israel.

IMOD Director-General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram: “One of our strategic goals is munitions independence in critical components - we cannot allow our operational capability to depend on a supply chain we do not control. This is a process that takes time, but it begins with the decisions we make every day, and you, the startups, are part of that solution. We are not choosing between startups and the major manufacturers - we need both: we want healthy competition that drives innovation and competitive pricing, and we want partnerships that allow small, agile capabilities to integrate into large, proven systems. This is a balance we expect every player in the industry to respect, in accordance with our code of ethics.

“We will encourage and assist, to the best of our ability, in strengthening every component of the ecosystem: entrepreneurs, venture capital investors, government funding, long-term contracts that provide certainty, and exports that open additional markets. Together, these form the engine that can drive the national growth of Israel's defense-tech industry - not only as a defense solution, but as a genuine economic driver. Defense-tech is part of the State of Israel's unique advantage, built on combat-proven capabilities that Israeli talent has successfully demonstrated on the battlefield time and again.”

06/08/2026

Successful Launch Test of the Arrow Weapon System

The Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) within the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) in the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), have successfully completed a planned test of the Arrow Weapon System, as part of the multi-year test program for the development and upgrade of the system. The launch was conducted from a test site in central Israel.

The Arrow Weapon System, including Arrow 2 and Arrow 3, demonstrated unprecedented, groundbreaking capabilities on a global scale in the aerial and missile defense domain, intercepting numerous ballistic threats launched from both Iran and Yemen over the last three years, including ballistic missiles in space, in the exo-atmosphere. Israel's defense establishment continues to develop and upgrade the system at all times against evolving threats expected in the region in the coming years, as part of the Ministry's strategy to preserve Israel's technological superiority by developing operational solutions and preempting the enemy's next surprises.

The successful test represents another significant milestone in Israel's operational ability to defend itself from current and future threats.

The Arrow Weapon System constitutes the top layer of Israel's multi-layered air and missile defense array that also includes the David's Sling, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam Defense Systems. The Arrow Weapon System includes threat detection and classification capabilities via the powerful Green Pine and Super Green Pine radars, a command-and-control system, a fire control system, and interceptors enabling exo-atmospheric interception at extreme altitudes and ranges.

The development and production of the systems is led by the Israel Ministry of Defense through the IMDO within the DDR&D, and executed with the U.S. MDA. These defense systems are operated in the field by the Israeli Air Force's Air Defense Command. IAI is the prime developer of the Arrow Weapon System, through its Systems, Missiles & Space Group and its ELTA Group, which develops the radar detection array. Elbit Systems develops the fire control system. Tomer, a government-owned defense company, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and the U.S. STARK Aerospace company are key subcontractors in the development of the Arrow interceptors.

The test was conducted with the participation of senior officials and representatives from the U.S. MDA, which is a partner in the development and production of the Arrow Weapon System.

Defense Minister, Israel Katz: "Today's Arrow system test is further proof of the strength of Israel's defense establishment, its defense industries, and its technological capabilities. The Arrow system has proven itself in war, successfully intercepting numerous threats from Iran and other arenas and protecting Israel's citizens. We're constantly upgrading its capabilities, and Israel stays ready at all times, for both current and future threats. We will continue investing in the development of the world's most advanced defense systems, while simultaneously strengthening our offensive capabilities, to ensure Israel's security superiority and the safety of its citizens."

IMOD Director General, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram: "This groundbreaking Arrow test puts into practice the core pillars of the Israel Ministry of Defense's strategy: staying ahead technologically by developing 'the next surprises,' and strengthening Israel's weapons independence. Even now, following our success in the Iran campaign, we remain in emergency mode, dramatically accelerating production and upgrading the system's capabilities. Thanks to decisions made over the past year, Israel's interceptor stockpile keeps growing, backed by new and constantly evolving capabilities."

IAI Chairman of the Board, Boaz Levy: "The Arrow system plays a direct, decisive role in how Israel confronts the threats from Iran and its proxies, and it's yet another proof point of the strategic and technological edge IAI delivers for the country. Our deep, long-standing partnership with the Israeli and American defense establishments keeps driving breakthroughs and unique technologies that draw real interest from our allies around the world, while directly strengthening Israel's security and economy. As aerial threats grow more complex and varied, IAI keeps pushing harder on advanced technological solutions that protect nations, civilians, and strategic assets."

Head of the DDR&D, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Daniel Gold: "This successful and significant test in the development of the Arrow system marks an exceptionally important step in the continued fortification of Israel's aerial defenses. These new developments draw on the lessons of the war on one hand, and forward-looking vision on the other, to address evolving threats and establish Israel's relative advantage over its enemies. I want to express my appreciation to all the engineers and personnel involved within the DDR&D, the IDF, the MDA, and the defense industries."

IAI President and CEO Guy Bar Lev: "The Arrow system, built by IAI in close partnership with the Israel Ministry of Defense, the U.S. MDA, and the Israeli Air Force, once again exemplifies that Israel holds the most advanced ballistic missile defense technology in the world. This test put the system up against future threats and generated data that our engineers will use to build the next generation of aerial defense. IAI's systems are at the core of every layer of Israel's defense, identifying, classifying, and tracking every threat in the airspace. All of this is achieved thanks to the people of IAI, who work around the clock with professionalism and a true sense of mission to protect Israel."

IMDO Director, Moshe Patel: "The War of Redemption proved the importance of the multi-layered aerial defense array that the Israel Ministry of Defense has developed and built over several decades. In this test, we completed an important and significant stage in the development of the Arrow Weapon System. In these new developments, we incorporated advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, the application of combat lessons, and a move into automated manufacturing. This test marks a significant step toward the continued equipping of the IDF with the system. The IMDO continues to innovate and ensure Israel's security against both today's and tomorrow's threats."

28/07/2026

The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has completed a years-long commemoration project, placing memorial stones in a Prague cemetery for Haviva Reik and Rafael Reiss, two Jewish parachutists from pre-state Israel who were murdered by the N***s during World War II. The project was led by Aryeh Mo'alem, head of the Ministry's Families, Commemoration and Heritage Department.

Reik and Reiss were part of a group of parachutists from the Yishuv, the pre-state Jewish community, who volunteered to jump behind enemy lines during the war. They were sent to help European Jews, link up with Allied forces, and work alongside resistance fighters and partisans. Twelve members of the group were captured by the N***s; seven, including Reik and Reiss, were executed.

The new memorial stones mark the site in Prague where the two were buried after their deaths, before their remains were later brought to Israel for burial.

The memorials were made possible by extensive coordination between the Ministry's Families, Commemoration and Heritage Department and Czech authorities. Officials called the project historically and nationally significant, underscoring Israel's commitment to keeping the memory of the soldiers alive decades after their deaths.

The ceremony was attended by the Czech Minister of Defense, the Czech Chief of General Staff, Israel's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Czech government representatives, a Ministry of Defense delegation led by Mo'alem, and relatives of the parachutists.

23/07/2026

Israel Ministry of Defense Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram visited Bagira Systems, which develops and operates advanced training and simulation systems for IDF ground forces and for roughly 22 countries worldwide.

Director General Baram tested the company’s simulators and met with its leadership to discuss expanding cooperation with the IMOD and the Ministry’s broader strategy to grow Israeli defense exports.

“The Ministry is working to strengthen Israel’s defense industries as part of a strategy to expand munitions independence, build a broad industrial base, and grow defense exports so we can supply more systems to the IDF,” he stated. “Simulators and interactive trainers let us train more troops in complex scenarios and better prepare them for the battlefield. Israel is a world leader in this field thanks to the unique ecosystem linking the IDF, the Defense Ministry, and the industry - and we’re working to expand our international partnerships in this domain.”

Israel Ministry of Defense

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