The Singapore Airshow came to a close on Sunday, with Israeli platforms having played a central role in the show. The exhibition showcased how Israel’s defense industry is rewiring its export map, and starting to look towards Asia as a strategic anchor.
Though the shift is not absolute, with Europe still Israel’s main market, there are more Asian customers, more joint research and development (R&D), and more long‑term industrial partnerships, especially as traditional Western markets become more politically constrained after the Israel-Hamas War.
Several European states have paused – or have started scrutinizing – arms deals over concerns over their use in Gaza, leading Israeli firms and officials to lean harder into Asian markets where political conditionality is often lower and demand for battle‑proven systems is high.
The Israeli delegation, led by SIBAT, included 11 Israeli defense companies showcasing a wide range of advanced, operationally proven technologies, including unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), missile defense systems, electro-optical systems, cyber systems, and AI-based robotics, counter-UAV systems, and more.
Israeli companies that participated were Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Aeronautics, BIRD Aerosystems, CONTROP, Orbit Communication Systems, Skylock Systems, TOMER, UVision Air, and XTEND Systems.
IMOD Director General, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said that Israel’s participation in the Air Show was part of the Defense Ministry’s strategy to increase defense exports and support Israeli defense manufacturing.
Despite its reputation for cutting-edge military technology and battlefield-tested systems, Israel’s defense industry has been facing a paradox of record-breaking sales amid rising international backlash. While the two-year-long war in Gaza triggered diplomatic fallout that threatened many deals, it also fueled demand for Israeli weapons proven on the battlefield.
The Israeli national pavilion served as a platform to promote the country’s defense cooperation and strengthen Israel’s presence in Asian and Pacific markets.
Baram said that during the exhibition, the Israeli delegation met with representatives from various countries “who expressed great interest in Israeli technology that has been operationally proven over the past two years in complex warfare across seven fronts.”
He added that “alongside developing the next generation of defense and offensive systems, we continue to build strategic partnerships with countries in the region. The Defense Ministry is committed to advancing the Israeli defense industry on the international stage and strengthening Israel’s position as a global leader.”
According to the Database of Israeli Military and Security Export (DIMSE), Israel has sold Singapore tanks, Barak missiles, Spike and Spice missiles, Python 5 and Derby missiles, UAV and drone systems (including Heron, Hermes 450 and 900, Orbiter 4), a surveillance satellite, air defense systems, cyber tools (including spyware such as Fleming and Pegasus), riot control vehicles, and EL/M radars, among other defense technology.
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