RAFAEL's air and missile defense systems on show at the Paris Air Show 2023 - from right to left: Iron Beam high energy laser, Stunner (David's Sling interceptor), I-Derby-ER (air and tactical missile defense) and Tamir interceptor used by the Iron Dome and C-Dome systems.
New Israeli Weapons on Display at the Paris Airshow
The 54th Paris Air Show international aerospace exhibition provides an important venue for Israel’s aerospace and defense companies featuring new weapons, aerospace systems, space programs, and unmanned systems. All photos credit: Defense Update
IAI – Upper-tier ballistic missile defense
Three missiles designed by IAI for air and missile defense – Arrow 3, Barak 8ER and Barak 8 LRAD. Both Arrow-3 and barak 8ER are designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles.
Exporting Light Rocket Propulsion Systems
Tomer – Israel’s government-owned defense company is participating at the Paris Airshow as part of the company’s marketing campaign seeking to expand its offerings to rocket and missile manufacturers worldwide. Tomer is Israel’s largest manufacturer of light rocket propulsion systems. The company’s products are integrated into IAI’s BARAK MX interceptors, Elbit Systems’ Extra and Accular guided rockets, and the Rampage air-launched guided missile. Photo: IAI
SkySonic – Interceptor of Hypersonic Threats
SkySonic is designed as an interceptor to counter hypersonic threats.
New Air/Air Missiles
Rafael is unveiling a new air/air missile – the SkySpear, at the Paris Airshow.
Elbit Systems – Long-Range Strike
Four types of heavy guided aerial strike weapons from Elbit Systems – from top to bottom: REST with an MPR1000 body, Rampage 300 mm aerial launched missile, Lizzard 4 with an MPR500 laser-guided bomb, and laser-guided 2.75″ rocket -GATR.
Teaming UAS and Loitering Weapons
Elbit Systems shows a teaming between the Skylark 3 Hybrid drone and Sky Striker loitering weapon. The drone performs extended reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions, lasting up to 18 hours, with the Sky Striker performing target acquisition and attack based on that reconnaissance.BlueBird UAS are also showing a teaming of UAS and loitering weapons. The team comprises the ThunderB VTOL UAS and new SpyX loitering weapons unveiled at the 2023 Paris Airshow.SpyX can operate on missions lasting 1.5 hours at a range of 50 km from its controller. The weapon is supplied as an inert airframe, loaded with the battery and warhead upon assembly in the field. It is loaded with an anti-personnel high explosive fragmenting or anti-tank warhead. SpyX uses a piloting camera for flying and a miniature EO/IR payload for target acquisition, and a proximity fuse to trigger the HE-FRAG warhead.
Spear UAS – Encapsulated Loitering Weapon
Spear UAS’ Viper is designed as an encapsulated loitering weapon utilizing a quadrotor platform packed into a small launcher used as a ‘wooden round’.Uvision shows a complete system of a Hero 120 loitering weapon, comprising the launcher and missile, control unit, and communications link. These weapons have already been integrated for operation from helicopters, boats, tactical vehicles, and unmanned ground vehicles.
Founded in the late 1980s, Controp has evolved from a boutique electro-optical house to a global provider of integrated EO/IR solutions. Leveraging advanced optics, sophisticated stabilization, and AI-driven analytics, the company’s “Defining Clarity” ethos shapes a new era of defense capabilities, offering enhanced situational awareness for air, land, and maritime operations.
Vietnam Defence 2024 showcased the country’s military modernization, defense industry growth, and shift from Russian arms dependency. With key exhibitors from the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Asia, the event highlighted naval defense, air force upgrades, UAVs, and cyber warfare. Israel featured SPYDER air defense and Heron UAVs, while Russia, China, and Iran promoted missile and drone technologies. The exhibition reinforced Vietnam’s commitment to self-reliance, strategic autonomy, and regional security, positioning it as a rising defense player in Southeast Asia.
The British Armed Forces have successfully tested a revolutionary Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing drone swarms at a fraction of conventional defense costs. The system, developed by a UK-based consortium led by Thales, can disable multiple unmanned aerial systems for as little as 10 pence per engagement.
Representatives of the Israeli and Slovakian Defense ministries have Signed a 560 million Euro Agreement to deliver the Barak MX Integrated Air Defense System Produced by IAI. Barak MX and Barak 8 air defense systems are currently operational with several nations. The Slovakian acquisition is important in integrating the BARAK MX system into the NATO air defense network, which could pave the system’s entry into other Alliance members.
XTEND, an AI-driven drone technology expert, has been awarded an $8.8 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to supply VR-operated Precision Strike Indoor & Outdoor (PSIO) small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), a first DoD-approved loitering munition platform for both indoor and outdoor operations. With cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), these tactical drones deliver real-time, high-precision strikes, redefining smart munitions in modern warfare.
