Hezbollah strikes Israel’s defense giant, economic powerhouse, “Rafael”
Hezbollah’s missile strike on Sunday night targeted the military facilities of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in northern Haifa, delivering a symbolic and strategic blow to one of Israel’s most important defense companies.
Founded in 1948 as the Science Corps, “Rafael” has been central to Israel’s defense industry, driving the development of cutting-edge military technologies.
Rafael’s innovations are deeply integrated into systems used by the Israeli armed forces.
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The company works closely with the military, designing products tailored to the needs of soldiers and combat units, playing a key role in Israel’s war on Gaza and daily assaults against Lebanon.
Moreover, Rafael has recently seen strong financial performance, contributing $1 billion in sales in the first half of 2024, much of which supports the Israeli military.
This financial success has prompted credit rating agencies to elevate the company’s rating to A with a stable outlook—the highest rating ever achieved by an Israeli company.
Rafael’s critical role in the defense industry includes co-developing systems like David’s Sling with Raytheon and providing ammunition for the Iron Dome.
It also exports advanced missile systems, such as the Popeye cruise missile, and develops various systems for air force, communication, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
The company operates numerous factories across “Israel”, including three factories located in the occupied Galilee region. All these facilities remain within range of the resistance’s missiles.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
