IAI establishes protocols for technology transfer for RPAS

May 20, 2021

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is proud of its record of creating strong relationships with Canadian companies, both large and small. IAI has supported a variety of military procurements that have significantly increased Canada’s safety and security. These strong commercial bonds make IAI an ideal partner to Canadian primes in delivering Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITBs) designed to create domestic jobs, innovation, and economic growth in Canada.

IAI is the largest defence and aerospace company in Israel. With 15,000 employees, the company is the leader in new technology development and patent registration in Israel. Living in a tough neighborhood means that IAI must provide cutting edge technologies and solutions for air, land, sea, cyber, and space. Some of these key products and technologies include Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) based on the proven Heron family of products, radars and electronic intelligence, satellite and space systems, as well as missiles and loitering munitions.

IAI’s technologies have made significant contributions to Canada’s defence sector over the last decade. From providing Canadian surveillance and reconnaissance capability in Afghanistan with the Heron UAV, to equipping Canadian maritime surveillance with radar products, IAI has created strategic partnerships with several leading Canadian defence contractors. More recently, IAI is offering its latest generation Heron TP to L3Harris as part of Team Artemis for the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) program. Through technology transfer, the Team Artemis RPAS can be built and maintained in Canada by Canadians as IAI continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a robust defence sector in Canada.

IAI has established proven protocols for technology transfer that commercial and national partners appreciate for the flexibility and control it gives to a program. With IAI’s technology transfer approach, the Canadian RPAS program, for example, would have the aircraft built in Canada by Canadians and without ITAR restrictions, Canada would retain full mission sovereignty. IAI believes that its commitment to full technology transfer in procurement programs offers a competitive advantage to primes seeking to maximize their ITB offering to the Canadian government.

The RPAS program, is not the only example of IAI working in tandem with Canadian companies in the area of technology transfer. One of IAI’s groups – ELTA Systems Ltd. provided strategic radar solutions to Canada’s Beechcraft King Air, De Havilland Dash 8 aircraft, and to the RCAF’s new C-295 Fixed Wing Search and Rescue aircraft. IAI – ELTA has also provided its world leading medium range radar to Canada’s army in partnership with Rheinmetall Canada. A key part of these programs includes the investment in Canada’s economy to create sustainment, logistics support, and depot repair and overhaul centers that ensure Canada’s long-term operational support requirements can be fulfilled in-country, and exported from Canada.

IAI - ELTA’s medium range radar, built and maintained by Rheinmetall Canada in Quebec, is now being offered as an export from Canada to international customers and had their first major win of a large scale radar integration program in Hungary. This radar is one of IAI – ELTA’s most popular radars and was developed by the company as part of Israel’s renowned “Iron Dome” air defense solution and is part of IAI’s well known combat proven Barak MX air defense system. IAI is rightly proud of its excellent reputation as an ITB partner for Canadian companies and will continue to work to increase its industry partnerships.

For several years, IAI has maintained commercial relationships with many small and medium sized Canadian companies which produce radar and aircraft components in the company’s global supply chain. These partnerships increase the international profile and knowledge of Canada’s Defence Industrial Base while broadening IAI’s offerings – clearly a win-win for all concerned.

Efficient technology transfer is an important part of IAI’s philosophy underpinning the company’s approach to global delivery and service. IAI believes that this approach has helped to enhance Canada’s defence industry by increasing its technological expertise, expanding exports, and providing access to global markets. With IAI’s technology transfer program, Canadian companies are ready and able to equip and sustain a platform for Canada’s defence needs. In return, Canadian ingenuity provides a substantial return on investment to IAI’s product lines.

IAI is very pleased to be part of the ongoing success of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) signed in 2019 and also the Canada-Israel Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation in Industrial Research and Development, last renewed in 2017. Such agreements make technology transfer not only good business, but good policy.

As IAI interacts with innovative Canadian industrial partners, the transfer of technology and expertise goes both ways and creates synergies that benefit both countries paving the way for even greater cooperation and global success stories.