Message from Director
Dear exporters,
The state of Israel has controlled its defense export activities for decades. Since the enactment of the Defense Export Control Law (2007) it is the Defense Export Control Agency (DECA) within the ministry of defense which is responsible for regulating all aspects of control on exports of defense equipment, know-how and provision of defense related services. That activity is based on continuous balancing between national security needs alongside political considerations and international commitments, and the requirements of the Israeli industrial defense sector.
As the national competent regulatory authority, the Defense Export Control Agency (DECA) is responsible for controlling the versatile defense export that is managed by Israel in order to maintain its defense, strategic and political interests. At the same time that export constitutes a central layer in the robustness of the defense industries, both large and small, and is imperative for future development of advanced technological capabilities and the preservation of the Israeli Defense Establishment's qualitative military edge.
Control of Israel's defense export is carried out while reviewing professionally and thoroughly national security considerations, state's foreign relations, alignment with international commitments, keeping human rights and preservation of other interests. Israel adheres to leading international control regimes such as the Wassenaar Arrangement and the MTCR, and follows their policies while committed to prevent leakage of advanced technologies or weapon systems to hostile elements, and while aspiring to contribute to stability and security in the international arena.
Israel's defense export is a strategic asset which enhances international collaborations, broadens political influence and cements its status as a leading state-of-the-art defense technologies country. The unique eco-system among the Israeli Defense Establishment, IDF and the defense industries is a proven reality which enables the development of prompt operational solutions, both accurate and relevant to the present and future challenges. The recent war demonstrated the depth and quality of the Israeli technological developments. Advanced defensive and offensive weapon systems, intelligence and cyber capabilities developed by indigenous defense industries, all of those provided IDF the capacity to operate in a precise, agile and powerful manner of which only a handful of countries are capable. Those systems proved the importance of the independent, innovative and strong defense industrial sector. It is not only a vital component for national security, it is also an economic and social growth engine. Each accomplished export transaction contributes to quality employment, development and preservation of excellent human capital, and thus contributes to the strengthening of the state's economy and society.
Export control is not merely a regulatory obligation but rather a key element that ensures responsible handling of the most sensitive technologies while protecting Israel's security interests. Professional and targeting type of control, compatible with a varying environment, is the kind of control which enables industries to compete in the global arena in a competitive yet responsible manner.
Throughout the years, procedures aiming at regulation reduction, policy adjustment and continuous improvement in work processes were promoted in DECA. In recent years and mainly nowadays a comprehensive reform is being implemented aiming to reduce bureaucracy in licensing, focus on sensitive products and aspects which matter, improve service vis-à-vis the exporters' community and generally speaking lead the way in the world of unclassified items towards a single licensing mechanism while maintaining control principles and responsibility.
DECA perceives cooperation with the defense industries to be a focal element in successful export controls. We will continue to carry out our mission with an open dialog, transparency and professional cooperation, realizing that only through mutual work the optimal solutions for Israel's defense, political and regulatory challenges can be achieved.
DECA will strive to further mitigate regulation burden wherever possible, improve work processes and provide professional effective service of good quality to the Israeli exporters, and is committed to doing just that while keeping the good interface and cooperation with the exporters for the benefit and security of our country.
Sincerely,
Racheli Chen
Director DECA