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LeMonde
13 hours ago
- Business
- LeMonde
France shuts five Israeli booths at Paris Air Show for showcasing 'offensive weapons'
Geopolitical tensions roiled the opening of the Paris Air Show on Monday, June 16, as French authorities sealed off Israeli weapons industry booths amid the conflicts in Iran and Gaza, a move that Israel condemned as "outrageous." The decision added drama to the major aerospace industry event, which was already under the shadow of l ast week's deadly crash of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A journalist from Le Monde, who was present at the event, saw that the stands of exhibitors Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, UVision, Elbit, and Aeronautics had been surrounded by black partitions and were no longer accessible. According to the authorities, "offensive" weapons, such as those that could be used in the Gaza Strip, were displayed, in violation of the framework agreed in advance with the Israeli authorities. Rafael, Elbit, and IAI produce guided bombs and missiles, while UVision and Aeronautics produce drones. "From the outset, we have provided a clear framework, which has been shared with the Israelis," the French Foreign Ministry told Agence France-Presse. "Namely: the prohibition of exhibiting offensive weapons at the Paris Air Show. The Israeli embassy in Paris has agreed to this." French Prime Minister François Bayrou defended the decision during a Monday press conference at the air show. "The French government's position was very simple: no offensive weapons at the arms exposition," he said. "Defensive weapons were perfectly acceptable," he added. Bayrou cited the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the rationale behind the ban. "Given the situation in Gaza (...) which is extremely serious from a humanitarian and security point of view, France was keen to make it clear that offensive weapons should not be present at this exposition," Bayrou said. Conflicts loom large Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "outrageous" closure of the pavilions and said the situation should be "immediately corrected." "Israeli companies have signed contracts with the organizers... it's like creating an Israeli ghetto," he said on French television channel LCI. The Israeli defense ministry said in a statement that the "outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations." An Israeli exhibitor wrote a message in yellow chalk on one of the walls, saying the hidden defense systems "are protecting the state of Israel these days. The French government, in the name of discrimination, is trying to hide them from you!" The presence of Israeli firms at Le Bourget, though smaller than in the past, was already a source of tension before the start of the Paris Air Show, because of the conflict in Gaza. A French court last week rejected a bid by NGOs to ban Israeli companies from Le Bourget over concerns about "international crimes." Local lawmakers from the Seine-Saint-Denis department hosting the event were absent during Bayrou's visit to the opening of the air show in protest over the Israeli presence. "Never has the world been so disrupted and destabilized," Bayrou said earlier at a round-table event, urging nations to tackle challenges "together, not against each other."
American Military News
22-04-2025
- Business
- American Military News
Israel arming Germany with suicide drones
Germany's Ministry of Defense recently announced a new partnership with Israel's defense industry to aid the modernization of the German military by procuring a significant number of loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones. According to Globes, Israel is currently the world leader in supplying suicide drones. The outlet noted that the Israeli company UVision is working with Rheinmetall, a German company, to develop the Hero series of suicide drones. Globes reported that the Hero series of suicide drones include the Hero 120, which has a range of between 25 and 38 miles, is capable of one hour of flight, and can carry a roughly 10-pound warhead. Additionally, Globes reported that the Hero 1250 has a range of over 125 miles, is capable of up to 10 hours of flight, and can carry a 110-pound warhead. According to Globes, the Hero suicide drones feature electro-optical and infrared cameras that allow drone operators to monitor situations on the battlefield, make slight adjustments to the drones' flight paths, and remotely cancel drone missions. The outlet noted that the suicide drones can be launched directly at enemy targets, can autonomously conduct operations, and can be transferred to ground forces for greater military coordination. READ MORE: Spy drones may be taken out with 'force' by homeowners in Florida under new bill In addition to the collaboration between UVision and Rheinmetall, Israel Aerospace Industries is partnering with MBDA, a European missile corporation, to advance the Harop suicide drone. Globes reported that the Harop suicide drone has a range of 125 miles, is capable of nine hours of flight, and can carry a 35-pound explosive. According to Globes, the recent announcement by Germany's Ministry of Defense represents a significant change in its strategy of acquiring military equipment. The outlet noted that instead of launching smaller pilot programs with the Israeli defense firms, the German military (the Bundeswehr) is planning to quickly deploy a significant number of suicide drones to be tested by frontline units. Globes reported that the German military has realized the importance of suicide drones by observing the impact of suicide drones in Israel's war against Hamas and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Commenting on the importance of suicide drones, German Chief of Staff General Carsten Breuer said, 'This is a game changer.'
