Eliezer Shkedy

Eliezer Shkedy
Name	Eliezer Shkedy
Native name	אליעזר שקדי
Birth date	1957
Birth place	Argentina
Allegiance	Israel
Branch	Israeli Air Force
Rank	Aluf (Major General)
Commands	Israeli Air Force

Eliezer Shkedy (born 1957) is a retired Israeli Air Force officer and business executive known for leading the Israeli Air Force into the 21st century, overseeing operations during the Second Intifada and shaping Israel's aerial doctrine amid regional tensions with Lebanon, Syria, and non-state actors such as Hezbollah. A graduate of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and a career pilot, he later transitioned to roles in aerospace industry and national infrastructure, interfacing with multinational firms like Elbit Systems and governmental bodies including the Ministry of Defense (Israel). Shkedy's tenure reflects intersections with major figures and institutions such as Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, Benny Gantz, and international partners like the United States, France, and Russia.

Early life and education

Born in Argentina to a Jewish family, Shkedy emigrated to Israel in childhood and was raised amid communities in Tel Aviv and Haifa. He completed secondary education before entering mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, subsequently attending the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology where he studied aerospace engineering alongside contemporaries from institutions such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute of Science. During this formative period he trained at Hatzerim Airbase and participated in advanced flight courses connected to programs of the United States Air Force and training exchanges with the Royal Air Force and French Air Force.

Military career

Shkedy's career in the Israeli Air Force spanned flight training, operational squadrons, staff appointments, and command of air divisions; he flew combat missions in aircraft including the F-16 Fighting Falcon and variants of the F-4 Phantom II, operating from airbases like Ramat David Airbase and Nevatim Airbase. He served under Chiefs of Staff such as Dan Halutz and worked within the IDF General Staff coordinating joint operations with the Israeli Navy and Israel Defense Forces Northern Command during conflicts involving Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinian territories linked to the Second Intifada. His staff roles connected him with defense procurement bodies like the Ministry of Defense (Israel) and international partners including the United States Department of Defense and aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin and Dassault Aviation.

Shkedy held command positions in tactical units and participated in strategic planning for operations that intersected with events such as the 2006 Lebanon War precursors and cross-border incidents involving Hezbollah and Hamas. His operational experience included coordination with intelligence services like the Shin Bet and the Aman (Israel Military Intelligence) directorate, as well as collaboration with diplomatic entities including the Foreign Ministry (Israel) during joint exercises and overflight negotiations with neighboring airspaces.

Tenure as Commander of the Israeli Air Force

Appointed Commander of the Israeli Air Force in 2004, Shkedy succeeded leaders from a line that included Dan Halutz and served during administrations of Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. His tenure emphasized modernization of the force through procurement and integration programs involving platforms from Lockheed Martin such as additional F-16 Fighting Falcon variants and early planning for F-35 Lightning II acquisition discussions with the United States. He advanced systems integration with domestic defense industries like Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems, and prioritized upgrades to air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions including partnerships with Raytheon for missile systems.

Under his command the Air Force executed operational campaigns that required joint planning with the IDF Ground Forces and coordination with political leadership during escalations involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and rocket threats from Gaza Strip factions. Shkedy steered developments in unmanned aerial vehicle programs, leveraging ties with organizations such as AeroVironment and fostering indigenous UAV work alongside Israel Aerospace Industries. His leadership coincided with dialogues on international law of armed conflict with institutions like International Committee of the Red Cross amidst controversies over targeting and collateral damage.

Post-military career and business roles

After retiring from active duty, Shkedy transitioned to executive and advisory positions in aviation, infrastructure, and high-tech sectors, holding board and management roles with firms like Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and energy-related consortia engaging with entities such as Delek Group and international partners including Siemens. He served as an advisor to the Ministry of Transportation (Israel) and participated in public-private initiatives involving the expansion of airports like Ben Gurion Airport and air traffic integration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel.

Shkedy engaged in consultancy linking Israeli defense technology to export markets in Europe and Asia, interfacing with companies such as Thales Group and governments like France and India on cooperative ventures. He contributed to think tanks and forums including the Institute for National Security Studies (Israel) and spoke at international symposiums in venues connected to NATO and bilateral defense dialogues with the United States and Russia.

Personal life and legacy

Shkedy is known for maintaining ties with former colleagues across the Israel Defense Forces and the aerospace industry, and for mentoring officers who advanced to senior roles such as Benny Gantz and Amos Yadlin. His legacy includes modernization initiatives that influenced procurement paths involving F-35 Lightning II discussions and domestic UAV proliferation with firms like Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. Recognized in Israeli media and defense circles, his career has been discussed in publications connected to universities like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and policy outlets such as the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

Category:Israeli Air Force generals Category:Israeli businesspeople Category:Technion – Israel Institute of Technology alumni