The MoU was signed at an official ceremony attended by Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, IAI Chief Executive Moshe Levy, senior German government representatives, municipal authorities and IAI executives. IAI said the agreement marks an important milestone in its continued expansion in Germany and Europe.
The planned innovation centre will support startups in the aerospace, defence, security and dual-use sectors. It will provide structured accelerator programmes intended to foster cooperation with local and international startups.
The programme is also intended to support the development of industrial use cases. IAI said it will strengthen cooperation among industry, policymakers, researchers and investors.
The centre will also aim to advance local industrial development. The company said this would include expanded production capacity, job creation and long-term technological growth.
Berlin and IAI will work together to further increase the company’s industrial presence in the city. This includes the development of local production capacities and the creation of highly skilled jobs.
IAI said its expanded presence in Berlin is intended to support technological innovation and enhance industrial expertise. The company said it also aims to contribute to sustainable economic growth in the local economy.
“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,” said Boaz Levy, IAI Chairman of the Board. “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,” Levy said. The company said the agreement builds on its existing defence and industrial activities in Germany.
“Berlin is the right place for an aerospace and defense innovation center,” said Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin. “In light of the global crises we face, it is important to establish a center 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 defense know-how to our ecosystem,” Wegner said. “Our goal is to make Berlin the number one city for innovation.”
IAI is known in Germany as the principal contractor for the Arrow 3 missile defence system, which recently became operational. The company also supplies Heron TP drones for the German Air Force and the BlueWhale autonomous submarine for the Navy.
IAI said the Heron TP and BlueWhale programmes were developed in collaboration with German industries and forces. The company described its German activities as part of a wider industrial and technological partnership.
IAI is a global aerospace and defence contractor with experience across air, land, maritime, space, cyber, artificial intelligence and autonomous applications. The company said this experience will support the new Berlin innovation centre and its work with startups.
IAI has already launched and operated accelerator programmes internationally. These include Catalyst in the United States, NeuSPHERE in India and ASTRA in Israel, which connect startups with industrial use cases, pilot projects and access to global markets.
