[Defense Interview] IAI Gambash Branch Manager "Always Open to Cooperation with Korean Companies"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As our military recently decided to develop the ‘final line of defense’ shipboard close-in weapon system (CIWS), which had previously relied on overseas sources, interest in defense systems from various countries is increasing. The leading defense company is undoubtedly Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). IAI jointly developed the Barak-8 system equipped with a medium-range surface-to-air missile with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). We met with Eliyahu Gambash, head of IAI Korea, to hear about the development status.

Director Gambash said, “Barak is a missile defense system for both maritime and land use,” adding, “In the maritime case, it can defend by dividing interceptor ranges into three categories: 35 km, 70 km, and 150 km.”

The Barak-8 missile is 4.55 meters long, 260 mm in diameter, carries a 60 kg warhead, and flies at Mach 2. Its total weight is known to be about 2.7 tons. The Indian Army replaced the Russian-made Kvadrat system, purchased in the 1970s and 1980s as a ground missile defense system, with the Barak system.

Director Gambash also emphasized loitering munitions. He said, “If the operational concept before loitering munitions was counter-fire warfare, the development of loitering munitions has changed the paradigm of all operational concepts,” adding, “Because they search for targets in the air and are ready to strike within just a few seconds, loitering munitions are also called ‘bombs waiting in the air.’”

Our Air Force also directly imported and operated loitering munitions from IAI. The HARRY drone, which suppresses enemy radar in the air, was deployed in combat starting in 1999 with a budget of 60 billion won. One HARRY launch vehicle operates 18 HARRY drones, which fly for about 2 to 5 hours in the air and immediately dive toward enemy radar upon detecting radar signals to self-destruct.

IAI is also strengthening its position in the unmanned systems business. Our military deployed the Heron UAV, a corps-level reconnaissance drone, in 2014 for reconnaissance of the northwestern islands and the metropolitan area border regions. Since then, IAI has introduced the upgraded Heron MK II. Its top speed and endurance have increased compared to before. It can be equipped with electronic intelligence (Elint) and communications intelligence (Comint), attracting attention from various countries. Currently, it is operated by 20 countries including Germany, India, and Australia.

Director Gambash said, “The biggest feature of the upgraded Heron MK II is that it carries larger and improved sensors, allowing it to collect information from areas of interest tens of kilometers away without crossing borders.”

IAI is regarded as a model for the domestic defense industry. Exports account for more than 70% of its sales. Last year, sales reached about 4.18 billion dollars, marking nine consecutive quarters of sales growth.

Director Gambash emphasized, “IAI develops creative and innovative systems for the Israel Defense Forces and customers worldwide,” adding, “We can fully cooperate with Korean companies.”

In particular, he said, “Korea and Israel are similar in that they establish autonomy in weapons development and focus on localization, but Korea’s development schedule tends to be slower.”