Israel’s top three defense companies will attend the UK’s
DSEI arms fair despite the British government barring an Israeli delegation
over Gaza.
Although the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced late last week that it would not have a national pavilion at the show, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Elbit Systems all told Breaking Defense that they intend to attend the event, which is scheduled for September 9–12.
The British government connected Israel's actions in Gaza to the absence of an official invitation.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,”
a UK government spokesperson said on Aug. 29, according to the BBC.
“As a result, we can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025.”
"These restrictions amount to a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel's representatives,"
the Israeli Ministry of Defense said in response to the UK ruling. As a result, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) will not be setting up a national pavilion and will instead withdraw from the expo.
“At a time when Israel is engaged on multiple fronts against Islamist extremists and terrorist organisations – forces that also threaten the West and international shipping lanes – this decision by Britain plays into the hands of extremists, grants legitimacy to terrorism, and introduces political considerations wholly inappropriate for a professional defence industry exhibition,”
the ministry said.
"Israeli industries that choose to participate will, however, receive the Ministry's full support,"
the ministry stated. Along with the three major Israeli corporations, a few smaller businesses told Breaking Defense that they were still trying to figure out how the decision had affected their business. Uvision, Orbit, and Smartshooter all announced product unveilings for DSEI today, indicating their intention to display their products at the event.
In 2024, Israel's defense exports hit a record $14.7 billion, with 54% of those sales going to European nations. For example, Israel has supplied Finland the medium-range David's Sling system and Germany the long-range Arrow air defense system and Trophy active protection system.
What reasons did the Israeli defense ministry give for withdrawing?
The British government barred Israeli government officials
and military representatives from attending DSEI in protest of Israel’s
military operations in Gaza, which Israel viewed as discriminatory.
In response to this exclusion of official government representation, the Israeli Defense Ministry decided to withdraw its formal participation, including not establishing a national pavilion or sending an official delegation.
The ministry condemned the British decision as politically motivated and unfairly targeting Israel while allowing private Israeli defense companies to participate. Despite the ministry's withdrawal, Israeli defense companies stated they would attend as private exhibitors.