French authorities had prohibited the display of offensive weapons at the event and enclosed the Israeli pavilions with black walls. Despite this, the Israeli stands received a steady flow of visitors throughout the day.
Among the guests were numerous heads of state and senior military leaders from around the world. Many expressed interest in Israeli defence systems and voiced support for the Israeli industries represented at the show.
Zimmer’s visit comes amid growing defence ties between Germany and Israel, particularly around the Arrow 3 missile defence system. Germany signed a deal in 2023 to procure the Arrow 3 from Israel, marking the largest defence agreement in Israeli history.
The Arrow 3 system, co-developed by Israel and the United States, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The deal is valued at approximately €4 billion and is a key element of Germany’s missile defence strategy under the European Sky Shield Initiative.
Delivery of the system is expected by the end of 2025. Germany aims to have the Arrow 3 operational soon after deployment, significantly strengthening its air and missile defence capabilities.
