Rafael offers German production of Iron Dome if Berlin chooses Israeli air defence system

Berlin, June 11. Israeli defence company Rafael has said it is prepared to manufacture the Iron Dome air and missile defense system in Germany if Berlin decides to procure the system, with the move aimed at creating jobs and strengthening local industrial capabilities.

Speaking to Aviation Week on the sidelines of the ILA Berlin air show, Rafael CEO Yoav Tourgeman said the company has received approval from Israel to potentially export the highly regarded system to Germany, despite longstanding restrictions on its overseas sales.

“We have the intention not to take jobs in Germany, but to create jobs in Germany,” Tourgeman said, adding that almost the entire system could be produced locally. “Bottom line – we are going to produce it almost 100 percent in Germany.”

Rafael maintains longstanding relationships with German defence firms, including Rheinmetall and Diehl, and would prefer to partner with local industry on any manufacturing effort. However, Tourgeman said the company could establish the required production capabilities independently if necessary.

Any acquisition would be handled through a government-to-government agreement, with Rafael providing industrial and technical support. While declining to specify a delivery timeline, Tourgeman stressed that production and deployment could be carried out rapidly, noting that “time is critical”.

The company is also open to exporting its Iron Beam directed-energy system, which complements the interceptor-based Iron Dome by using high-energy lasers to counter aerial threats. According to Tourgeman, the possibility of offering Iron Beam would depend on Germany’s operational requirements.

Rafael is seeking to leverage Iron Dome’s combat record to secure additional export opportunities. Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the system has carried out more than 10,000 interceptions, according to the company. Tourgeman said the system has achieved an interception success rate exceeding 90 percent while also using its threat evaluation capabilities to avoid engaging projectiles that are unlikely to cause damage.

He said the effectiveness of Iron Dome has enabled Israel to maintain economic activity and has allowed Rafael to continue manufacturing operations despite repeated waves of drone, rocket and missile attacks.

Tourgeman also highlighted the company’s ability to replenish interceptor stocks despite heavy operational use, claiming Rafael’s production capacity is unmatched.

“The scale of production of the system is huge. No air defence system can produce as many interceptors as we can,” he said.