IACAS-2026 Chair, Organizing Committee

BG (res.) Eytan Eshel, born in 1961, graduated from Tel Aviv University with a BSc in Electronic Engineering in 1983 and an MBA in Business Management with distinction in 1994.

Since 2021, BG (res.) Eshel has been EVP of R&D, technology, and innovation, serving as CTO of IAI In this role, he has full responsibility for IAI’s R&D investments, emerging technologies, and collaboration with academic and research institutes, as well as responsibility for the IAI Innovation Centers and Space Incubator.

In 2015, Mr. Eshel joined ELBIT Systems – ELISRA as Vice President. In this role, he was responsible for the SIGINT, Ground and Naval EW, and C4I business lines, serving at the corporate management level and as a director of ELBIT’s Australian subsidiary, ELSA.

1983-2014, BG Eytan Eshel served in the IDF at the Air Force and MOD – DDR&D (Directorate of Defense Research & Development) as an officer. He retired after holding several key positions, including Head of Military R&D with the rank of Brigadier General. Throughout his military career, he served in various commands, professional, and staff roles in both the Air Force and MOD. He initiated, established, and led many major programs.

As the Head of Military R&D (DDR&D – Directorate of Defense Research & Development in the IDF and MOD), his responsibility was for the R&D and full-scale development programs of the entire IDF.

He served on the senior IDF team to define the force buildup. BG Eytan initiated and managed international programs and cooperation with other countries on a large scale.