Israel Aerospace Industries Launches Amos 4 Communication Satellite
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| Israel Aerospace Industries Amos 4 Communication Satellite - Sept. 2013 |
Today (Sept. 1, 2013) Israel Aerospace Industries launched Amos 4, the most advanced communication satellite deployed to date. The 4.2 ton satellite will give Israel a unique position as a communication supplier in Europe, Asia and Africa. Amos 4 will give Sapcecom, the operating company, capability to supply the Israeli government as well as private and governmental customers high bandwidth communication for TV, telecom and Internet services. In addition to traditional broadcast capability, traditional communication services into rual areas. Israel, is one of the leading service providers racing to give governments in Asia and Africa the ability to connect rural areas without the expense of large terrestrial wired and radio based networks.
More than simply a commercial communication equipment supplier, Israeli technology companies are showing the drive to shift from mostly military and security products to commercial markets. IAI is one of Israeli's leading technology companies, long associated with military electronics. This advanced satellite project shows the need for Israel to move from the military supply sector to broad range commercial sector. While the military electronics and systems market is lucrative and has been a strong targe market for Israeli companies, both government and private company leaders are keen to diversify the product mix of large organizations. IAI is one of many technology companies which experienced sharp boom and bust cycles with the a single market focus. Since AIA is a semi-government and highly secretive company (some here still see it as an arm of the military industrial complex), not much is said of it's financial status. But rumors the last decade, from the years before UAV (military drones) exports lifted the company, was that the company was bleeding financially and the government was barely holding it up. Employees were complaining of very little investment in R&D and very few new orders from new customers (usually countries around the world who can not get their military technology from the US or Russia - read: India, Brazil and Turkey).
Today Israeli companies, not only in technology, also in construction, security services, financial services and agriculture, have gone to areas around the world which are receptive to Israeli products and technology and have little or no vested interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Among them are the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and many countries which economically have grown (i.e. Chile, Australia) and can not buy from the first tier suppliers in the US and Europe. Israel has focused less on Africa and more on Asia and America. Today you are as likely to see a group of Spanish speaking Chileans and Mexicans in the Airport or at a Tel Aviv restaurant as you are to find and American or a German. Israeli construction and project companies are still focused on eastern Europe and have been for the last fifteen years. Although not reported in great details, AIA and Alta sales of UAV and technology related to drone operation (control, maintenance and data processing) is sold in 30 to 40 countries, mostly to military customers but also to other commercial uses such as land management and border policing. Israel industry is slowly maturing. Something that many are not only surprised but also a little disturbed. Israel's role in supplying contries which came knocking on American and Russian doors a decade ago, is worrisome to US and Russian (also NATO) governments. Yet, you can't blame up and coming economies from wanting to use current technology. This story is just one of many which shows the shift in the world balance, both financially and security.
Today Israeli companies, not only in technology, also in construction, security services, financial services and agriculture, have gone to areas around the world which are receptive to Israeli products and technology and have little or no vested interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Among them are the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and many countries which economically have grown (i.e. Chile, Australia) and can not buy from the first tier suppliers in the US and Europe. Israel has focused less on Africa and more on Asia and America. Today you are as likely to see a group of Spanish speaking Chileans and Mexicans in the Airport or at a Tel Aviv restaurant as you are to find and American or a German. Israeli construction and project companies are still focused on eastern Europe and have been for the last fifteen years. Although not reported in great details, AIA and Alta sales of UAV and technology related to drone operation (control, maintenance and data processing) is sold in 30 to 40 countries, mostly to military customers but also to other commercial uses such as land management and border policing. Israel industry is slowly maturing. Something that many are not only surprised but also a little disturbed. Israel's role in supplying contries which came knocking on American and Russian doors a decade ago, is worrisome to US and Russian (also NATO) governments. Yet, you can't blame up and coming economies from wanting to use current technology. This story is just one of many which shows the shift in the world balance, both financially and security.
To Be Continued...
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