France Denies Israeli Firms Space at 2027 Paris Air Show
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
French organizers have denied exhibition space to Israeli defense firms Elbit Maarachot, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael at the 2027 Paris Air Show, citing a lack of availability. Concurrently, France is restricting Israeli companies at the Euronaval exhibition to displaying only defensive systems and barring official government representatives. The Israeli defense industry claims these measures aim to limit competition with French firms, despite unaffected sales.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli defense firms Elbit Maarachot, IAI, and Rafael were denied space at the 2027 Paris Air Show.
- France is limiting Israeli companies at the Euronaval exhibition to displaying only defensive systems.
- Official Israeli government representatives are banned from attending the Euronaval exhibition.
- Israeli companies previously won a court case against a French ban at the Eurosatory exhibition.
- The Israeli defense industry believes French restrictions aim to prevent competition.
Three major Israeli defense contractors, Elbit Maarachot, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael, have been informed by the organizers of the Paris Air Show that no exhibition space will be available for them in 2027. These companies have been regular participants for decades but intended to exhibit independently this year due to the absence of an Israeli national pavilion, a decision attributed to French restrictions. The organizers have framed this year's denial as a commercial decision, not political. Israel's military attaché in France is investigating the reasons with the exhibition management, the Ministry of Defense, and the companies involved.
Meanwhile, French authorities have imposed restrictions on Israeli companies participating in the Euronaval naval exhibition from November 3-6. According to the exhibition organizer SOGENA, Israeli exhibitors are permitted to display only defensive systems, specifically those for Israel's air and missile defense. This limitation applies to all materials, including photos, videos, and models. French authorities will inspect stands before the exhibition opens and will close any found to be in violation. Official Israeli government representatives, including from the Ministry of Defense, are barred from attending.
At the previous Eurosatory exhibition, French officials covered exhibits deemed offensive weapons. For Euronaval, Elbit, IAI, Rafael, and Maspenot Israel are scheduled to exhibit. This biennial event previously saw a complete ban on Israeli companies, which they successfully challenged in a Paris commercial court as a violation of EU free market rules. However, the ruling came too close to the event for them to prepare.
Despite these restrictions, the Israeli defense industry reports that sales are unaffected, citing a growing order backlog. They believe the true aim of the French limitations is to prevent competition with France's own defense industry.
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