Israeli Defense Tech Company IAI Opens Mexico Office

December 5, 2017 | Israel’s military and commercial aerospace tech company IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) announced that it opened a new representative office in Mexico. The launch was marked at an event attended by local Mexican officials and the Israeli ambassador to Mexico, Jonathan Peled, IAI said in a press release. IAI’s executive VP marketing, Eli Alfassi, said IAI “consider[s] Latin America, and specifically Mexico, as an important market, with significant potential, both in the defense and commercial markets.” He added that the new office in Mexico, “is aligned with IAI’s strategy to bring its technological solutions to the customer’s door, offering solutions that answer the customer’s precise needs, and providing real-time available and accessible services.” IAI indicated that Mexico’s arms imports grew by almost 200 percent in four years, between 2012 and 2016, “placing the country as the 2nd largest importer of defense systems in Latin America during this period.” IAI co-developed Israel’s world-famous Iron Dome anti-missile defense system as well as the Arrow III interceptor system for long-range missiles. According to the Israeli Space Agency, the Arrow III can also serve as an anti-satellite defense system. Earlier this year, an Arrow III battery shot down incoming Syrian anti-aircraft missile in the first reported use of the system. IAI also develops drones, satellites, naval systems, and radars for military and civilian use.