Eurosatory 2026 was bustling with thousands of exhibitors showcasing their newest developments in military technologies. Whether it be body armor or defence systems, Villepinte was active in the midst of the French heatwave, bringing together representatives from 68 countries around the world.
Among the 2,600 exhibitors were several Israeli companies that were prepared to display their military equipment at the show. However, the French government made a last-minute decision to restrict Israeli firms from exhibiting their product lines. The action took place two weeks after the French government notified Israel’s Ministry of Defense of a ban on official participation by the State of Israel, aiming to protest against Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory, according to Le Monde. Israeli defense companies would not be allowed to exhibit assault weapons, a decision which was expanded to cover almost all equipment the night before the exhibition began. This decision led to Eurosatory boarding up all Israeli defense booths overnight.
Marom Dolphin was one of the several Israeli companies whose booths were walled off. The company specializes in the development, design, production and marketing of tactical carrying equipment and technological solutions, for use by security forces in Israel and abroad. Marom Dolphin’s main products are load-bearing equipment solutions, tactical cameras, helmets, armor, and the Wild Goose robotic carrying system.
The Wild Goose and its properties
The only product that Marom Dolphin was allowed to display behind the booth’s walls was the Wild Goose robotic carrying system. The robot was called battle-proof by Tim Hanovich, Commercial Market Manager at Marom Dolphin. According to Hanovich, Marom Dolphin has worked on the Wild Goose system for the past two years, and it has been used in combat in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Wild Goose robotic system can bear up to 150 kilograms, and allows manned-unmanned teaming on the battlefield. As it is equipped with wireless remote control, the Wild Goose can enter the field before soldiers. It can be used to carry equipment, and can be combined with a variety of additional kits, such as a stretcher kit and MK19 kit. Marom Dolphin advertises the Wild Goose’s near-silent operation and reduced acoustic and thermal signatures, as well as that it is easy to operate with minimum training.
The Wild Goose robotic carrying system at Eurosatory 2026
Ergonomics on the battlefield
Although Marom Dolphin wasn’t allowed to display any of their other equipment, Hanovich gave a description of the Load Bearing solution. According to Hanovich, the load bearing solution can be implemented into various vests and platforms. The Spine System can be attached to the belt, transferring the weight of a backpack from the shoulders to the waist, reducing fatigue. The Fusion System unites the body armor, combat belt and backpack on one frame, allowing for quick removal of the backpack as the Fusion System eliminates the need for backpack shoulder straps. According to Hanovich, Marom Dolphin designs their products with future upgrades in mind. “We’re keeping it like an open system, being able to change particular compartments instead of the whole system. This way customers avoid having to buy a whole new vest.”
“I don’t think that many companies look at the soldiers and care for how they feel. They take it for granted that it’s war, they’re going to suffer”, Hanovich states. According to him, Marom Dolphin integrates ergonomics into their product lines, so that a soldier can be stronger for longer. “Carrying heavy loads can affect your spine. We’ve seen a lot of injuries from soldiers that use poor equipment, which causes them to lift loads in a bad way. Once you get to the body’s limitation of how much it can carry, we have the (Wild Goose) robotic system which can multiply the load.”
Israel’s position in the international body armor industry
As to how Marom Dolphin differentiates from other body armor manufacturers, particularly European ones, Hanovich believes that Marom Dolphin has more practical experience than many other companies. “We work with actual soldiers that fight, so the gear is battle proven. We communicate with the soldiers. We’re on the field all the time. We meet with a group of soldiers once a week or so, ask them how they use the product. How do you feel about this and that, and we’re up to date on any issues. We work with them to find a solution, making better soldiers with better equipment.”
When asked whether the wars in Gaza and Lebanon have affected Marom Dolphin’s exports to foreign countries, Hanovich’s answer was straightforward. “No. We don’t feel it. We work globally. We’re working in the Netherlands, the Philippines, and we’re getting into the United States. I’m talking about big projects besides Israel.”
At the end of the interview, Hanovich expressed his disappointment in Eurosatory’s decision to wall off Marom Dolphin’s booth at such a short notice. “The exhibition delegation came here on Sunday afternoon, looked at the booth and told us that they will let us know whether we can exhibit or not. After we put a lot of effort into setting up the booth, they informed us late at night that we cannot exhibit our products, even though we make defensive gear. We came here the next morning, and saw the gray walls. This was a very unfortunate decision.”
