Rafael

Israeli defense firms Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael have secured spots in the top 30 of the 'Defense News' global 100 list. This milestone coincides with Elbit Systems announcing $270 million in new international contracts.

Israel and Greece have signed the 3 billion euro "Achilles Shield" deal. Rafael and IAI will establish a multi-layered air defense system for Greece to counter a wide range of threats.

Rafael concludes a strong quarter with a 39% jump in new orders to 6.9 billion shekels and 20% growth in sales to 5.6 billion shekels. More than 60% of orders in the first half came from exports, and against the backdrop of the strengthening shekel, CEO Yoav Turgeman warns of damage to profitability and competitiveness: "State intervention is required."

Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman is criticizing the Ministry of Finance over state payment delays to defense firms. The Ministry of Defense currently owes 15.5 billion shekels to major defense contractors.

The defense technology company concludes the second quarter of 2026 with a double-digit jump in sales and orders, marking an unprecedented milestone with the Navy.

The opposition of Qatar, which holds 17% of Volkswagen, will not stop the project: the state of Lower Saxony is expected to replace the automaker as Rafael's partner. The German plant will produce components for the Iron Dome, preventing thousands of layoffs and potentially signaling future system purchases by Berlin.

The ties between Israeli defense industries and the Ministry of Defense in Athens are tightening. Greece is expected to complete in October the certification of Rafael's Spike NLOS missiles for launch from Apache helicopters. The helicopters' electronic systems are being upgraded by Elbit.

The Haifa District Court has canceled the Kiryat Yam Municipality's demand for 1.245 billion shekels in development levies from Rafael, ruling that the underlying calculations were flawed.

Sephora starts selling in Israel, a historic house requiring half a million to relocate, a VAT payment revolution, market fluctuations for defense companies, and private kindergartens for high-tech employees — the most read articles of the week.

Eight months after the delivery of the 'Iron Beam' laser system to the IDF, it remains non-operational. Experts estimate that full operational maturity will not be reached for another three to four years.

According to a report in the newspaper Il Messaggero, Italian authorities have ordered the cessation of the use of Rafael's anti-drone system at Fiumicino International Airport and the transfer of the contract to an Italian company. The reason: the system was defined as "military equipment" imported without the required permits.

Globes presents a daily brief review of interesting news from the global media about Israel. In this issue: an administrative court in Italy ordered the cancellation of a Rafael radar deal, a New York Magazine commentator claims Donald Trump has no path to victory against Iran and the question is only how he will choose to lose, and in Berlin, a lawsuit was filed against a restaurant that refused...

The Israeli government is actively shaping the boards of directors of leading defense companies, such as IAI and Rafael, as they prepare for IPOs. These appointments are accompanied by intense political maneuvering.

In a world competing for attention, Rafael has become an inseparable part of the Israeli consciousness. Its success relies not on advertising, but on technological achievements and its contribution to national security.

Almost every American aircraft strike involves the use of the Israeli Litening pod, which assists in target acquisition and weapon guidance. The system was developed by Rafael after the US refused to sell Israel the equivalent LANTIRN pod.

The tests conducted in Israel incorporated lessons from the 'Iron Swords' war. The system, recently procured by Romania and the Czech Republic, demonstrated direct hits on targets in challenging operational scenarios.

The Israeli defense company has successfully completed a complex series of drone interceptions, incorporating lessons learned from the war in Israel and various global operational theaters.

Rafael's naval weapon system is in service with 25 navies around the world, and the 1,000th unit has now been delivered to the Israeli Navy as part of its ongoing vessel modernization program.

Thousands of vacationers heading to Eilat are facing repeated closures of Highway 40 due to weapons testing by the Rafael company. These frequent blockages divert traffic to Highway 90, causing heavy congestion and disrupting the daily routines of local residents and soldiers.

Globes has learned that against the backdrop of a sharp increase in defense sales abroad and struggles over mega-tenders, Ministry of Defense Director General Amir Baram has established an ethical code for local industries. Among the requirements: avoiding defamation, maintaining intellectual property, and presenting reliable technology.

The Association of Public Companies opposes the intention to list the two defense companies on the US stock exchange. CEO Ilan Plato: "The public must be a partner in the success."