Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is widely acknowledged as a prominent global entity specialising in the research, design, development, manufacture, and maintenance of various aerospace systems, including civil aircraft, drones, fighter aircraft, missiles, avionics, and space-based systems for military and commercial applications. IAI has 70 years of expertise in developing and selling cutting-edge technology for the Israel Ministry of Defense and several demanding clients across the globe.

IAI holds the distinction of being the largest aerospace and defence business in Israel, as well as the most significant industrial exporter in the country. IAI offers distinctive ‘system-of-systems’ solutions to address a wide range of space, air, land, sea, and homeland defence requirements. In addition to its core area of expertise, IAI offers a range of engineering, aviation, and high-tech electronics services. IAI is a renowned corporation with a significant position in the defence and commercial industries.

GLOBAL EXPANSION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Founded in 1953 as Bedek Aviation Company, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has evolved from a modest maintenance and overhaul facility for military aircraft into a global powerhouse in aerospace and defence. With a rich history spanning seven decades, IAI’s journey has been marked by innovation, technological prowess, and a commitment to advancing the capabilities of aerospace and defence systems.

Initially, IAI operated as a small-scale maintenance and overhaul facility for military aircraft. The company’s early years were marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology. As the years progressed, IAI achieved significant milestones that laid the foundation for its ascent in the aerospace and defence industry. Through a combination of innovative engineering and a dedication to meeting evolving defence needs, IAI rapidly expanded its portfolio, becoming a reliable partner for governments and organisations worldwide.

IAI’s rise to prominence in the global aerospace and defence arena was driven by a visionary approach to technology and an unwavering commitment to research and development. The company invested heavily in cutting-edge technologies, leading to breakthroughs in areas such as aerospace systems, missile technology, space exploration, and cybersecurity. The company’s ability to adapt to emerging challenges and develop state-of-the-art solutions earned it a reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. Its contributions to satellite technology, missile defence systems, and UAVs have cemented its status as a technological powerhouse.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROWESS

A leader in defence, aerospace, and commercial markets, IAI leverages state-of-the-art technology and decades of combatproven experience delivering solutions to national defence and security challenges.

Delivering large turnkey projects, IAI acts as a prime contractor, subcontractor, and team members in dozens of large programmes for the aerospace, land, sea, and cyber domains and multi-domain applications.

The company offer a vast portfolio producing air and missile defence, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ground robotics, precision-guided weapons, and loitering munitions. They deliver special-mission aircraft, modernise military aircraft and helicopters, and convert passenger jets into cargo aircraft through modification, conversion, and system integration. Their technology expertise features systems and solutions from reconnaissance satellites and radars to all aspects of command, control, and communications, computing and cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems (C5ISR).

IAI’s technological endeavours encompass a wide array of domains and the company boasts a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge products and services across various domains. Their technology and innovations are leveraged through four group:

• ELTA Systems: IAI’s radar, intelligence, and electronic systems house, ELTA Systems offers a broad range of electronic systems-of-systems for air and space, land, naval, and homeland security applications. These capabilities are based on the solutions developed for C5ISR (ISTAR), Early Warning & Control (AEW&C), Electronic Surveillance (SIGINT/ELINT/COMINT) and countermeasures (C-UAS), Fire Control, Self-Protection, and Self-Defence, with specific specialisation in AI, Cyber, and robotics.
• Systems Missiles & Space: All activities related to missile systems run under the Systems, Missiles, and Space Group. These activities include air and missile defence systems, offensive and defensive naval systems, surface-to-surface missiles, and loitering munitions. The group also oversees IAI’s space operations, including the initiation, design, development, delivering, and operations of dozens of observation and communication satellite systems, associated ground control stations, mission centres, and launchers.
• Military Aircraft: Backed by decades of innovation and combat-proven experience with unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as a pioneer and world leading provider of unmanned aerial systems. IAI’s Military Aircraft Group combines state-of-the-art technology and knowhow with hands-on field experience, offering innovative UAS solutions for land-based, aerial and the maritime domains, brand names that have earned worldwide reputation for excellence and reliability. Some of the group’s legacy activities are currently managed under the Aviation Group and Golan Industries.
• Aviation: The Aviation Group covers the full spectrum of technologies and capabilities for the design, integration, testing, certification, manufacturing, marketing, and product support of manned and unmanned aircraft – from business jets to the conversion of passenger jets, cargo planes, aerostructure assemblies, and parts. The group also provides comprehensive maintenance services (MRO Services) for aircraft, engines, and components - including heavy maintenance, modifications, upgrades, conversions, and development programmes, all with minimal downtime.

IAI’s engagement in these diverse initiatives exemplifies shared vision for technological advancement and self-reliance in aerospace and defence. Their collaborative efforts in India have not only bolstered India’s strategic capabilities but have also contributed to the growth of an indigenous aerospace ecosystem.

GLOBAL IMPACT

IAI is a prominent global player in the defence, aerospace, and commercial industries. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of battle-tested expertise accumulated over several decades, IAI provides comprehensive solutions that address national defence and security imperatives and functions as a principal interface in numerous comprehensive programmes across the aerospace, land, marine, and cyber sectors, along with applications spanning multiple domains.

IAI’s journey from a modest maintenance facility to a global aerospace powerhouse is a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation, technological excellence, and a vision of shaping the future of aerospace and defence. Today, IAI stands as one of the largest and most influential aerospace companies in the world. Its products and solutions are utilised by military and civilian operators in numerous countries, contributing to the safety and security of nations globally.

The evolution of IAI over the years has been nothing short of extraordinary and has been shown in the following...

TIMELINE: THE JOURNEY OF IAI SINCE 1953

Early Years
	1953: IAI is established as the Governmental Institute for Aviation, or Bedek Aviation Company. Its focus is on aircraft maintenance and overhaul.
1959: IAI begins to move from purely service, to design and manufacture of aircraft and advanced land and seaborne systems.
1960’s
	1964: IAI develops its first missile, the Gabriel, for sea-to-sea applications. Upgraded over the years, it is still in service with navies around the world.
1967: ELTA is established as whollyowned subsidiary of IAI which evolved into ELTA Systems Ltd., one of Israel’s major defence electronics companies, specialsing in a range of fields.
	1968: IAI enters the business jet market with the Jet Commander, the cornerstone of the Israeli aircraft manufacturing industry and remained in production for 20 years.
1969: The Arava, the first indigenous aircraft to be fully designed, manufactured and licensed in Israel, takes flight. 103 aircraft were produced before production ended in 1988.
1970’s
	1970: The first fighter aircraft manufactured in Israel, the Nesher, takes flight. Of the 61 built, five of these aircraft are still in operation by the South African Air Force.
1972: Golan Industries is established as a division of IAI. Today, it specializes in the manufacture of crashworthy seating for aviation and military vehicles.
	1975: Israel’s first home-grown fighter bomber, the Kfir, developed and manufactured by IAI, enters service with the Israeli Air Force.
1979: IAI’s first operational small unmanned aircraft, the Scout, enters air force service, remaining in operation until the early 1990s
1980’s
	1986: IAI’s Lavi attack aircraft successfully completes its maiden flight. Only three complete prototypes were built before the Israeli Government voted to discontinue development.
1988: Israel’s first reconnaissance satellite, the Ofek 1, is launched by an Israeli launcher, the Shavit, making Israel the eighth nation to achieve an indigenous launch.
1990’s
	1990: The first in a family of antiballistic missiles, the Arrow 1, is tested. Since then the Arrow has been upgraded and revamped, with the Arrow 3 being declared operational in 2017.
1991: The Barak, a naval vessels defence system, is tested. The surface-to-air missile system is currently operated by Chile, India, Israel and Singapore.
	1994: The Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle completes its first flight. Capable of operations of up to 45 hours duration, at up to 30,000 ft.
1994: IAI makes the first delivery of its airborne early warning and control (AEW) system, to the Chilean Air Force.
	1995: IAI develops the Green Pine, the first Israeli radar for detection of long-range missiles and an integral part of the Arrow system.
1996: IAI’s cutting-edge highspeed patrol boat, the Super Dvora, goes into commission with the Israeli Navy. Since then, several class variants have been produced. Advanced versions of the Green Pine have been exported to India and South Korea.
	1996: Israel’s first communications satellite, the AMOS 1, is launched into space. Controlled from a Ground Control Station designed, built, maintained and operated by IAI.
2000’s
2000: IAI’s Arrow 2 becomes the world’s first operational defence system against aerial missiles.
	2006: The first successful flight is completed of the largest indigenous unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, the Eitan, also known as the Heron TP.
2010’s
2010: The first flight of the latest business jet model, the G280, built by IAI under license for Gulfstream Aerospace, takes place.
	2012: IAI’s ground-based multi mission radar (MMR) becomes fully operational. It is a firing control radar for various defence systems, including the Iron Dome.
2015: The Barak 8 successfully completes its operational testing by the Indian Navy. The SAM is being used by Israel’s Navy, and by India’s Navy, Air and Land forces.
	2019: Beresheet, a co-development lunar lander of IAI and SpaceIL and the 1st commercial lunar mission, situated Israel as the 4th country to attempt landing on the moon.
2020’s
2020: IAI’s combat-proven loitering weapons with the ability to loiter over the battlefield for an extended time, seek and hunt hidden targets as they appear.
	2021: IAI began producing the Israeli-developed vehicle at its production line. These unique vehicles are destined for Israel’s special operations units and export.
2022: BARAK LRAD, part of the BARAK MX family of air and missile defence system, was launched from Israel’s Navy SAAR 6 corvette, INS OZ.
	2023: The first B-777 converted to the B777-300ERSF, known as ‘The Big Twin,’ is the largest twin-engine freighter upon its service entry. It is the first passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversion programme of the B777-300ER, able to carry 100 tons of cargo payload.
2023: Israel’s third Radar Observation Satellite system enters service after a successful launch by the IAI Shavit launcher.

Source: www.iai.co.il