Israeli Defense Firms Target U.S. Market With Advanced Weaponry

More than 20 Israeli defense companies showcased new developments at the largest land warfare exhibition in North America, AUSA 2026 in Washington, aiming to secure a share of the U.S. defense budget, projected to reach $1.5 trillion in 2027. This follows a record year in 2025, where Israeli defense exports reached $19.2 billion, with the U.S. and North America accounting for 13% of those sales.

Israel was one of only nine countries to establish national pavilions at the prestigious event. While Israeli representatives were welcomed in Washington, protests against Israeli policy in Gaza occurred outside the exhibition. Six demonstrators disrupted a panel featuring the U.S. Secretary of Defense, shouting slogans such as "Children in Gaza are starving" and accusing him of war crimes before being removed by security.

Among the showcased technologies were Rafael's Sky Sonic system, designed to intercept hypersonic missiles, and the IAI's HawkGuard, an active defense system against attack drones. The IAI also presented the FIRE STORM 250, a remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a machine gun capable of carrying 200 rounds. Elbit Systems displayed an upgraded version of its Sky Striker loitering munition, while Tomer displayed rocket motor technologies.

The exhibition, expected to draw 40,000 visitors including military and procurement officials, also featured solutions from small and medium-sized companies, including drone interception systems and technology to counter GPS jamming. The Commander of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan, was present to highlight the operational experience of Israeli systems to foreign procurement representatives.