Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced July 21 that the Company’s Board of Directors, chaired by Boaz Levy, has approved the Search Committee’s recommendation to appoint Brigadier General (Res.) Guy Barlev as the Company’s CEO.
Barlev, who has served as Executive VP and the General Manager of the Systems Missiles & Space Group at IAI for the past six years, will succeed Boaz Levy, who was appointed as the Company’s Chairman of the Board in May 2026.
Barlev’s appointment will now be submitted for approval to the Appointments Committee, as well as to the approval of the Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and the Minister for Regional Development Dudi Amsalem, who is responsible for the Government Companies Authority.
IAI’s Board of Directors thanked Moshe Levy for his contribution to the Company’s success during the interim period while serving as Acting CEO.
Barlev served in a series of commanding positions in the IDF Land Forces, retiring from service in the rank of Brigadier General. He joined IAI in 2016 and was appointed as GM of the Systems, Missiles and Space Group in 2020. During the period that Barlev headed the Group, it was responsible for a range of groundbreaking technological developments and critical systems that defended the State of Israel.
Born in 1969, Barlev holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences (specialising in Business Management and Human Resource Management) from Ben-Gurion University and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences focused on Security Studies from the National Security College at the University of Haifa. Additionally, Barlev is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.
Boaz Levy, IAI Chairman of the Board, said, “We are proud to announce the conclusion of a structured, in-depth and thorough process by the search committee, tasked with selecting a CEO for IAI. Following this process, the Board of Directors decided to accept the committee’s recommendation to appoint Barlev as CEO of IAI. The Board expressed its confidence in Barlev’s capabilities and experience to lead the Company as it maintains momentum and navigates through global changes, while addressing both the business and technological challenges anticipated in the coming years, including the planned IPO.”
Levy added, “Guy has successfully managed the Systems Missiles & Space Group for approximately six years. He has deep familiarity with both the international and local defence markets, as well as the Company’s customers’ requirements. Under his leadership, the Group reached new heights and developed groundbreaking technologies, some of which played a significant role during the recent war in protecting Israel and ensuring the country’s technological superiority on the battlefield.”
Incoming IAI CEO, Guy Barlev, commented, “I would like to thank IAI’s Board of Directors for their trust and for selecting me as CEO. It is a great privilege to lead a company that serves as a national and strategic asset for the State of Israel. IAI is backed by thousands of outstanding employees who are a profound technological asset for our country, and I am very proud to step into this challenging role. IAI of today is very different from the IAI that I joined about a decade ago. The Company has undergone a business transformation in recent years and achieved unprecedented records. I look forward to the journey ahead, in fulfilling the company’s potential and strengthening our partnerships in both existing and new markets.”
