Australia Moves to Buy Israel's Iron Dome Despite Criticism

The French news agency AFP reported Thursday that the Australian government has submitted a request to Israel’s Ministry of Defense regarding the purchase of the Iron Dome air defense system.

According to the report, Australia is also interested in the American Patriot system, alongside interceptors developed by Israeli defense company Rafael.

The Australian government has been among the most outspoken critics of Israeli policy, particularly regarding Gaza. According to the AFP report, members of Australia’s defense committee raised questions about the proposed purchase of Israeli weapons. Australian Minister Murray Watt stated that “the government will always act to provide the most suitable military technology required for the country’s defense.”

Meanwhile, organizers of the Euronaval naval defense exhibition, scheduled to open next week near Paris, announced that Israeli companies Elbit Systems, Orbit, and Israel Aerospace Industries will be permitted to exhibit at the event, provided they display only air defense and missile interception systems.

Held every two years, Euronaval is considered one of the world’s largest naval defense exhibitions. Approximately 70 companies showcase products and developments at the event, most of them designed for maritime warfare. In addition to the ban on displaying offensive systems, exhibition organizers will prohibit official Israeli government representatives, including those from the Ministry of Defense, from participating.

This is not the first time in the past year that France has restricted Israeli companies from displaying defense systems at exhibitions held on its territory.