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.
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 crystallized around four dominant strategic themes that collectively illustrate Taiwan's comprehensive approach to defense modernization amid escalating regional tensions. Based on a detailed report by Pleronix (available upon request). Includes a Podcast discussion on TADTE 2025's highlighting Taiwan's four strategic themes beyond the post's coverage.
Israel’s Iron Beam 450 high-power laser system has completed final testing, marking a major leap in air defense. Developed by Rafael, it offers precise, cost-effective interception of rockets, UAVs, and mortars, and is set for IDF deployment by 2025.
President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility.