Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a leader in Israel's defense technology sector, has announced a record-breaking backlog of orders totaling 59 billion shekels (approximately $16 billion) at the close of the second quarter. This surge in demand comes alongside significant growth in the Americas market and a slight dip in domestic sales, as reported by Globes.
The company's CEO, Yoav Tourgeman, revealed in an interview with Globes that Rafael has significantly expanded its workforce, hiring over 1,100 new employees since the beginning of the year. This expansion underscores the company's commitment to innovation, with Tourgeman noting that a third of Rafael's activities are focused on research and development.
The company's flagship Iron Beam laser-based air defense system is on track to become operational next year, as previously announced. Tourgeman emphasized that the Iron Beam represents just one of many innovative developments in Rafael's pipeline.
Another product line generating significant international interest is the Spike series of anti-tank missiles. These versatile weapons range from the shoulder-launched Spike SR with a 2-kilometer range to the Spike NLOS, capable of engaging targets up to 32 kilometers away from land, air, or sea platforms. The series also includes the Firefly, a loitering munition designed for urban warfare.
Tourgeman highlighted the global reach of the Spike system, stating that it is currently in use across 41 countries. This wide adoption has led to the formation of a user community where knowledge and experience are shared among operators.
The increase in sales to the Americas could be partially attributed to potential deals such as Argentina's reported interest in procuring Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles, as recently noted by defense industry publications.
As Rafael continues to expand its global footprint and invest heavily in next-generation defense technologies, the company appears well-positioned to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century. The introduction of the Iron Beam system next year could mark a significant milestone in the field of directed-energy weapons and air defense capabilities.
