Rafael chairman Maj Gen (ret) Ilan Biran talks to Flightglobal about the Israeli company's growth strategy, the latest technology it is developing and proposals for the consolidation of the nation's defence industry.

What will be the main growth engines for Rafael in the coming years?

The Paris air show is an excellent opportunity for Rafael to display part of our capabilities and systems, and to meet our partners and users. In the framework of the show, Rafael will exhibit a variety of operational systems, among them part of its major growth engines, such as multi-layered air defence systems, highlighting the Iron Dome system for defence against short-range rockets and missiles.

This system has had its operational "fire test" this year; so has the Trophy active protection system for armoured fighting vehicles, which was also fully combat proven and has become the first operational system of its kind in the world.

Ilan Biran
 © Rafael

Other operational systems that are being shown include the Litening combat-proven multi-spectral airborne targeting and navigation pod flying with 20 air forces and on 20 types of aircraft, and the Reccelite - an electro-optical pod for reconnaissance and information-gathering in real time.

The Spike family multifunctional electro-optical missiles - considered the most advanced in the world - for different ranges (2-13.5nm/4-25km), which can be used by infantry, or mounted on land vehicles, light boats, or attack helicopters, are on display for the first time, with a unique simulator for the system.

Which products will be the focus of your exhibit at Paris

We are displaying advanced defence solutions including Spyder - an air defence system based on Python-5 and Derby air-to-air missiles; Spice - a stand-off, autonomous, air-to-ground weapon system that hits and destroys targets with pinpoint accuracy and at high attack volumes; Toplite - an electro-optical payload that is suitable for aerial, maritime and ground platforms; and Imilite - a multi-sensor system, capable of receiving, processing and distributing intelligence information from a large number of intelligence platforms.

Rafael offers its customers a diversified array of innovative solutions at the leading edge of global technology, from underwater systems through naval, ground, and air superiority systems to space systems. Rafael's major competitive edge relies on our dual nature as a large successful international business corporation and as Israel's national defence research and development laboratory, empowering the company to offer an array of technological capabilities.

Rafael's high-quality workforce is fundamental to our success in offering the wide range of capabilities and technologies that enable us to offer our users both dedicated solutions and custom-made solutions based on the specific requirements determined by varied types of combat scenarios.

Our capabilities are in a constant process of upgrading. Many of them are already fourth- or fifth-generation systems with numerous derivative variants - powerful engines driving development.

How is Rafael expanding international co-operation, particularly in South America and Asia?

Partnerships, and the establishment of subsidiary companies, are a key feature of marketing in the defence industry. For years, we have observed the world's defence industries continuously moving towards co-operative ventures, based on various motives such as moderation of competition, fullest exploitation of capabilities, cost reduction and use of local companies for marketing in target countries.

Rafael has applied this approach with great success for a number of years through partnerships, acquisitions and establishment of companies, transfer of information and production in numerous countries - all part of our management strategy, allowing us and our partners to achieve a great deal in the defence market.

We continue to move along this agenda, continuously examining new possibilities for partnerships, acquisitions and the establishment of new companies in Israel and abroad. I expect that in the next few months we shall be reporting on new developments in this field as well.

How will the plan to merge Israel Military Industries into Rafael affect your growth potential?

Our attitude towards Israel Military Industries has remained unchanged for many years. We call for the unification of Rafael and IMI from both a national and business viewpoint.

At the same time, Rafael cannot make any move that might undermine its stability, its strength, and its ongoing expansion. Consequently, we have reiterated that this move must only be made after careful examination of all aspects, to ensure its success.

We cannot make any further comments on the issue at this point. The issue of consolidation is indeed a proper and relevant one. I have been concerned with it ever since I was managing director of the Ministry of Defence.

My position then was - and continues to be - that it is right and adequate to unify, and to carry out the necessary moves to bring into being a single strong defence industry - Israel defence industry - capable of measuring itself against the world's top defence industries.

Even today we can already see the ongoing process of partial privatisation of Israel Aerospace Industries, and an attempt to merge IMI with Rafael. I believe this a correct and important step, and if carried out in an enlightened, businesslike, and professional manner, it will lead to success. However, a merger serving only propaganda or political ends is doomed to fail.

I trust that if a merger of IMI and Rafael will indeed materialise, this will be one more step towards Israel's consolidation process.

Source: Flight Daily News