Tel Aviv / Berlin: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state of Berlin to establish a new aerospace and defence innovation centre in Berlin and to expand IAI’s industrial presence through local production.
The MoU was signed on June 11 in an official ceremony attended by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, the IAI CEO, Moshe Levy, and high-ranking German government representatives, municipal authorities, and top IAI executives.
The innovation centre will focus on supporting startups in the aerospace, defence, security, and dual-use sectors with structured accelerator programmes. The programme will foster collaboration with local and international startups, support the development of industry use, strengthen cooperation among industry, policymakers, researchers, and investors, and advance local industrial development through expanded production capacity, job creation, and long-term technological growth.
This MoU marks an important milestone in IAI’s continued expansion in Germany and Europe, while also delivering long-term opportunities for the state of Berlin. As part of this effort, Berlin and IAI will work closely together to further increase the company’s industrial presence in Berlin, including the development of local production capacities and the creation of highly skilled jobs.
By expanding its footprint in Berlin, IAI aims to support technological innovation, enhance industrial expertise and contribute to sustainable economic growth for the local economy.
Boaz Levy, Chairman of the Board, IAI, stated, “This initiative reflects our long-term relationship and commitment to Germany and our vision of building deep, strategic partnerships that combine innovation, industry and operational expertise. By integrating IAI’s advanced technological capabilities into Berlin’s dynamic innovation ecosystem, together we are creating a platform that connects breakthrough technologies with real-world operational needs and global market opportunities. At the same time, this collaboration represents another important step in expanding IAI’s industrial footprint in Germany through local capabilities, skilled employment and long-term technological growth.”
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, said, “Berlin is the right place for an aerospace and defence innovation centre. In light of the global crises we face, it is important to establish a centre like this in our capital city and, in turn, support aerospace investment and encourage ties among established companies and startups. The agreement with IAI will bring first-class aerospace and defence know-how to our ecosystem. Our goal is to make Berlin the number one city for innovation.”
IAI is a leading global aerospace and defence contractor with decades of experience in advanced systems, platforms, and technologies for air, land, marine, space, cyber, AI, and autonomous applications.
In Germany, IAI is known as the principal contractor for the Arrow-3 missile defence system, which recently went operational, as well as Heron TP drones for the German Air Force and the BlueWhale autonomous submarine for the Navy.
IAI has successfully launched and operated international accelerator programmes worldwide, including Catalyst in the United States, NeuSPHERE in India, and ASTRA in Israel. These programme’s connect startups with concrete industrial use cases and pilot projects, enabling them to access the global market.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
