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Israel’s participation in Galileo satellite project underway 07.02.2006

Israel’s participation in the EU Galileo global satellite navigation system (GNSS) is getting underway, after NIS 250 million in proposals were obtained. Chief Scientist Dr. Eli Opper said the response reflected the potential of Israeli participation in the program, and justified the government’s NIS 100 million investment, half of which is for the development of applications and services by Israeli companies.
150 R&D managers from Israeli companies and universities met in Tel Aviv last week for the first Galileo event organized by Israeli Industry Center for R&D (MATIMOP), which is running the program in Israel. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information for companies interested in participating in the Galileo program, which is expected to cost up to €4 billion to set up.

Ahead of the meeting, 50 proposals were submitted for the development of applications for earthquake prediction, monitoring the movement of hazardous waste, the prevention of aviation accidents, the synchronization of communications networks, and the collection of location-based municipal fees.

Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), Comverse Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: CMVT), RAD Data Communications Ltd., Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT), and Alvarion Ltd. (Nasdaq: ALVR; TASE: ALVR) were among the companies that attended the meeting. Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology were also present.

Israel is participating in the Galileo program under an agreement signed in Jerusalem in September 2005. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission Directorate Energy and Transportation are jointly managing the Galileo program.

Israel and China are the only non-European countries participating in the Galileo program, and Israel was granted the status of administration member. When Israel jointed the program, the ESA invited several Israeli companies to participate in tenders for the supply of components for Galileo’s satellites and ground stations. The results of the first tenders will be published soon.

Within two months, MATIMOP will publish the first tenders. Selected projects will be eligible for up to 85% financing of recognized R&D costs, up to a budget ceiling of €10 million.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 7, 2006