Marketing and Sales
We actively take the initiative in identifying the individual needs of our customers throughout the world. We then focus our research and development activities on systems designed to provide tailored solutions to those needs. We often provide demonstrations of prototypes and existing systems to potential customers.
We market our systems and products either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor to various governments and companies worldwide. In Israel, we sell our military systems and products mainly to the IMOD. A number of marketing related support services are provided on a central shared services basis to various units in the Company. The marketing of our systems, products and services in other parts of the world is supported by subsidiaries, joint ventures and representatives.
In the U.S., generally Elbit Systems of America leads our sales and marketing activities from its facilities throughout the U.S. Elbit Systems of America operates under a Special Security Agreement, and a subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America (Sparton DeLeon Springs) operates under a Proxy Agreement, both of which allow Elbit Systems of America and its subsidiaries to work on certain classified U.S. government programs. Â Our subsidiaries in other countries typically lead the marketing activities in their home countries, often assisted by marketing and business development personnel based in Israel.
Over the past several years, we have entered into cooperation agreements with defense contractors, platform manufacturers and other companies in Israel, the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and certain other markets. These agreements provide for joint participation in marketing and performance of a range of projects around the world. In other situations, we actively pursue business opportunities as either a prime contractor or a subcontractor, usually together with local companies. We often enter into cooperation agreements with other companies for such opportunities.