France Restricts Israeli Defense Firms at Naval Arms Expo

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Israeli defense companies are exhibiting only defensive systems at the Euronaval 2026 naval arms show in Paris, with France barring offensive weapons and official Israeli representatives. Elbit Systems is unveiling a new unmanned underwater vehicle and an unmanned surface vessel amid a global rise in naval combat system demand. These restrictions follow similar measures at previous French defense expos, which Israel views as discriminatory.

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France limited Israeli firms to defensive systems at the Euronaval 2026 arms exhibition.
Elbit Systems debuted a new unmanned underwater vehicle and an anti-submarine warfare surface vessel.
Global demand for naval combat systems has surged, with the market valued at $124 billion.
Israel views France's restrictions as discriminatory, citing past similar incidents.
Future participation of Israeli firms in French defense expos is uncertain due to space limitations.

French authorities have imposed strict limitations on Israeli companies participating in the Euronaval 2026 international naval arms exhibition in Paris, allowing them to display only defensive systems and barring official Israeli government representatives. Three major Israeli defense giants, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael, are exhibiting at the event, which features over 700 companies from around 40 countries and is considered a significant naval security trade show.

Elbit Systems is showcasing a new yellow unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed for intelligence gathering, mine detection, and protecting undersea infrastructure. This UUV development follows Elbit's acquisition of Canadian firm ISE. The company is also exhibiting an electronic warfare system for naval vessels and the Seagull, an unmanned surface vessel for anti-submarine warfare, which has seen increased global interest.

The restrictions come amid a global surge in demand for naval combat systems, driven by conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, and the war in Ukraine. The French naval warfare market saw a 47% increase in deals between 2024-2025, reaching approximately $124 billion.

This is not the first time France has placed restrictions on Israeli defense firms. Similar limitations on offensive weapons were imposed at the Eurosatory land arms exhibition in June, where Israeli booths were even physically blocked. Israeli defense industries view these measures as commercially damaging, while France cites opposition to displaying weaponry that could be used in the Gaza war.

Furthermore, Israeli companies' participation in the Paris Air Show in 2027 is uncertain, as they were informed that no exhibition space is available, a move suspected by Israel's defense establishment to be another attempt to exclude them from French arms fairs.