In the decade since the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, global awareness about terrorism has significantly increased. According to the Israel Defense Ministry’s defence export and defence cooperation branch (SIBAT), the value of Israel’s security exports was about $2 billion per year before the September 11th attacks whereas today the total stands at about $7 billion.

Many countries began using security systems that were developed in Israel. “The United States woke up to a new reality and today one can see Israeli security companies working worldwide checking passengers and luggage at airports, because we have already been there and we have the knowledge,” said Itamar Graff, deputy director of SIBAT.

Another reason for the increase in defence exports was the fighting conducted by the US and other NATO countries in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“When the world became aware of the matter of fighting terrorism, we already had decades of experience on the matter, with many existing technologies,” Graff said. “We are in a small area and constantly cope with terrorist threats that arrive via foot, in tunnels, at day and night, by land and through the air, so we knew to offer the world existing products that have already been tested in operations in Lebanon, Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.”

During fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US needed to protect its soldiers and vehicles and it had to cope with improvised roadside explosive devices and the use of electronic warfare. Israel had already developed means to cope with such threats, and the US began to purchase these Israeli products.

Israeli companies have developed systems (using radar and lasers) to defend civilian aircraft from missiles. Israeli counter-terrorism experts are in high demand worldwide. For instance, ahead of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, SIBAT is in touch with authorities in that country, to provide consultation on security matters.

“Business is continuing and growing, because the threats aren’t getting smaller,” Graff said. “The world is moving in the direction of dealing with terrorist threats. On issues such as home-front protection, shore security and missile defense, people from around the world come to learn from us. We are dealing with a variety of possible threats and we will continue to be a dominant and significant factor in the world.”