Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has appointed Brigadier General (Res.) Guy Barlev as its new Chief Executive Officer, following approval by the company’s Board of Directors. The decision, made on July 21, follows a recommendation by the board’s search committee.
Barlev, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of IAI’s Systems, Missiles & Space Group, will succeed Boaz Levy, who assumed the role of Chairman of the Board in May 2026. The appointment remains subject to final approvals from the Appointments Committee, as well as Israel’s Minister of Defense and the Minister for Regional Development.
The board also acknowledged the contribution of Moshe Levy, who served as Acting CEO during the interim period.
Barlev brings extensive leadership and defense experience to the role. A former Brigadier General in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he held several senior command positions before joining IAI in 2016. He was appointed to lead the Systems, Missiles & Space Group in 2020, overseeing the development of advanced defense technologies and systems.
Boaz Levy, IAI Chairman of the Board: “We are proud to announce the conclusion of a structured, in-depth and thorough process by the search committee, tasked with selecting a CEO for IAI. Following this process, the Board of Directors decided to accept the committee’s recommendation to appoint Barlev as CEO of IAI. The Board expressed its confidence in Barlev’s capabilities and experience to lead the Company as it maintains momentum and navigates through global changes, while addressing both the business and technological challenges anticipated in the coming years, including the planned IPO.”
Levy added: “Guy has successfully managed the Systems Missiles & Space Group for approximately six years. He has deep familiarity with both the international and local defense markets, as well as the Company’s customers’ requirements. Under his leadership, the Group reached new heights and developed groundbreaking technologies, some of which played a significant role during the recent war in protecting Israel and ensuring the country’s technological superiority on the battlefield.”
Incoming IAI CEO, Guy Barlev: “I would like to thank IAI’s Board of Directors for their trust and for selecting me as CEO. It is a great privilege to lead a company that serves as a national and strategic asset for the State of Israel. IAI is backed by thousands of outstanding employees who are a profound technological asset for our country, and I am very proud to step into this challenging role. IAI of today is very different from the IAI that I joined about a decade ago. The Company has undergone a business transformation in recent years and achieved unprecedented records. I look forward to the journey ahead, in fulfilling the company’s potential and strengthening our partnerships in both existing and new markets.”
Barlev holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from Ben-Gurion University and a master’s degree in Social Sciences with a focus on security studies from the University of Haifa. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
