For seven years now, exhibitors from all over Israel and numerous other countries from around the world have gathered in Tel Aviv to show their products at ISDEF, Israel’s largest military trade show. This year it was held at the Israel Trade Fairs & Convention Center in northern Tel Aviv. Tar Ideal Concepts was one of the larger companies there, and they are also the show sponsor. They displayed their newest equipment, including their Bomb Disposal Suit, Riot control gear, and one of their Troop Carriers. They also had the “Roni” Pistol to Assault Rifle Conversion System, which does basically what the name implies in a matter of seconds.
Three other Israeli companies that had vehicles there were B.A.T. (Beit-Alfa Technologies LTD), Plasan, and GAIA Automotive Industries. B.A.T. had a large, well armored riot control vehicle with water cannon on top. Plasan had their new surveillance vehicle and GAIA had their “Thunder” armored personal carrier that could carry up to 12 people, as well as the AMIR Multi-Purpose 4X4 Mine Protected Vehicle. There were also non-Israeli companies at the show including some from the United States like IRD, a scope manufacturer, and Blauer, which specializes in Hazmat suits.
Arsenal 2000 Jsco from Bulgaria was represented at the show by Hristo Ibouchev, who travels internationally and works hard on sales at shows like this. Dillon Aero was also there, with one of their signature M134D Miniguns. There were various firearms at the show, but the show featured many other products. The company with the most firearms on display was Ceska Zbrojovka or CZ and they were with their Israeli representatives, Meir Roth Ltd. Among their products was the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1, a highly advanced 9mm sub-machine gun, with a range of 250 yards. For longer range, there was the CZ 750 S1 M1, a sniper rifle with a range of 800 Yards. Also there was the CZ805A1, their newest assault rifle which is being considered for adoption by many countries around the world. For pistols, they had the P-09 and the P-07, two very reliable and well proven guns, on display.
At the back of the show was a sandy stage area with a small building, a few crates, and a car. This was where a group of reenactors showed off how to use some of the products that were at the show through a live demo attack on the building.
The mood at the show was upbeat, with over ten thousand visitors. A large number of military and police delegations from both Israel and the rest of the world came and walked through the halls and made deals with the exhibitors. Among them were the deputy ministers and commanders from the militaries of Lithuania, the Philippines, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Ghana and many other countries.
When done with the show, there is a lot to do in Tel Aviv. There are plenty of Military Museums there including the Israeli Defense Forces History Museum near the beach. On the Road to Jerusalem, there is the Yad La-Shiryon or The Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun, one of the largest tank museums in the world. (Both museums are featured in-depth in articles on www.smallarmsreview.com)
Of course, Tel Aviv is about an hour’s drive from Jerusalem, one of the holiest cities in the world. Between the Wailing Wall to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, it is worth a visit. Not far away is the city of Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born. However, it would be advised that visitors take a special tour there for safety reasons. It is also advised that one should avoid going near the Gaza Strip. Still, Israel is worth going to, both for the show and the country itself.
