The Abraham Accords continue to yield substantial deals for Israel's defense industries.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) reported this morning an order worth $1 billion, without providing details. According to foreign reports, the deal involves the sale of two advanced spy satellites to Morocco.
Reports indicate that Morocco will purchase two satellites from the Opsat 3000 series, the same series used for IDF reconnaissance. These satellites will replace two older ones that Morocco had previously acquired from a consortium of French, Italian, and German companies, which have lower resolution capabilities.
Since the Abraham Accords, Morocco has also purchased the Barak 8 air defense system from IAI for $500 million. Both deals were significantly influenced by Amir Peretz, Chairman of IAI, due to his connections in the country.
The production of spy satellites at IAI also involves Elbit Systems, which provides the space camera, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which builds the satellite's propulsion system that maintains its orbit. To date, IAI has sold spy satellites to India, Azerbaijan, Italy, and Singapore.
French reports suggest the deal was finalized last summer, before the outbreak of the War of Iron Swords, and Morocco has not canceled it despite the ongoing conflict.
The war has increased demand for employment in the defense industries, which are expanding and viewed as stable workplaces during these times.
Yair Katz, Chairman of the IAI Workers' Union, said today at the AllJobs Human Capital Market Conference, "In a normal year, 50,000 resumes are sent to our placement center. Currently, we have received 35,000 in the past six months alone. We employ over 7,000 programmers. I want Israeli workers considering where to work to choose a place that saves lives."
Katz, a Likud member and son of Tourism Minister Haim Katz, also criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, saying, "The Finance Minister is undermining Israel's security by harming the defense industries. He does not promote the defense industries nor enable economic growth and defense production in Israel."
Katz added that they have filed a petition to the High Court of Justice for government and public companies to also receive the grant of NIS 3,000 for each worker who comes to work in conflict zones and under fire. "These workers also face threats and danger yet continue to produce and advance Israel's security," he said.