Italy removes Israeli companies, including Rafael, from Rome airport's counter-drone project
According to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the ruling effectively removes two Israeli defense companies from one of Italy’s most strategically important civilian infrastructure projects.
Italy's Council of State has ordered the replacement of the Israeli consortium responsible for Rome Fiumicino Airport's counter-drone protection system with the Italian electronic warfare company ELT. This decision carries significant diplomatic and legal implications, effectively removing two Israeli defense companies, Altintech and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, from a key civilian infrastructure project.
The ruling overturned a May 2024 decision by the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, which had upheld the contract awarded to the Israeli consortium. The court has given ADR 60 days to finalize a contract with ELT and has ordered the case file to be transmitted to the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office to evaluate potential criminal investigations into the procurement process.
The Italian court classified the radar installed at Fiumicino as military equipment due to its technical characteristics, classification under International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and registration in Italy's national registry of military equipment. The airport operator stated it will comply with the ruling while ensuring uninterrupted security and counter-drone operations.
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