Rafael Sees German Iron Dome Production With Export Deal | Aviation Week
AI Analysis
Rafael is seeking to establish in-country production of the Iron Dome air defense system in Germany, potentially through partnerships with Rheinmetall and Diehl, pending a government-to-government agreement. The company highlights a 90%+ intercept rate and high production capacity, demonstrated during recent conflicts. Rafael is also offering the Iron Beam laser system alongside Iron Dome as a potential component of the German defense package.
Key Takeaways
- Israel has approved potential export of the Iron Dome system to Germany, reversing previous hesitancy.
- Rafael aims for nearly 100% in-country production in Germany, creating local jobs.
- The Iron Dome system has achieved over 10,000 intercepts since the October 7th, 2023 attacks with a >90% success rate.
- Rafael is offering the Iron Beam laser system as a complementary component to Iron Dome.
- The deal is structured as a government-to-government procurement, with Rafael providing support.
Why It Matters
This potential sale signifies a growing European demand for robust air and missile defense systems, particularly in light of evolving threats including drone warfare. German production of Iron Dome would enhance European defense industrial capacity and reduce reliance on US systems, while also providing Rafael with a significant export win. The inclusion of Iron Beam indicates a shift towards directed energy weapons as a viable component of layered air defense.
Rafael Sees German Iron Dome Production With Export Deal | Aviation Week
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Rafael Sees German Iron Dome Production With Export Deal
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Robert Wall June 10, 2026
A rocket attack being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome.
Credit: Carl Court/Getty
BERLIN—Rafael would produce its Iron Dome air and missile defense system in Germany if the government in Berlin opts to buy the system, company CEO Yoav Tourgeman says.
Israel has long been hesitant to allow the wide export of the system, which has become critical to country’s ability to counter drone, rocket and missile threats. But Tourgeman says the company has been given the green light to potentially export the system to Germany.
“We have the intention to not take jobs in Germany, but to create jobs in Germany,” Tourgeman said in an interview during the ILA Berlin air show. “Bottom line—we are going to produce it almost 100% in Germany.”
Rafael, which has long ties with German companies such as Rheinmetall and Diehl, would prefer to cooperate on such an effort, the CEO says, but it could set up the capability in Germany on its own if required.
Any deal would be a government-to-government arrangement that the company would support. Tourgeman would not put a timeline on how quickly the company could deliver, but says, “it will be done very quickly,” noting “time is critical.”
Rafael, which has now added the Iron Beam laser system to the kinetic interceptor-based Iron Dome, might sell that abroad, too. “It is highly dependent on the requirements from the German side,” the Rafael boss says.
The Israeli state-owned defense company is looking to parlay the performance of Iron Dome during recent rounds of fighting into export deals. Tourgeman says that since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on the country, the system has conducted more than 10,000 intercepts, allowing Israel’s economy to continue functioning. The probability of intercept has been above 90%, he notes, with the system also knowing when not to intercept a threat that may land in an area where it would not do damage.
The system's functionality has allowed production of Iron Dome systems to continue without disruptions despite repeated waves of drone, rocket and missile attacks, Tourgeman says.
Despite a high interceptor expenditure rate, Rafael has been able to replenish inventory. “The scale of production of the system is huge. No air defense system can produce as many interceptors as we can,” he asserts.
Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space. Based in London, he directs a team of military and space journalists across the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific.