The Paris Air Show began with a tense political note on Monday, as Israeli arms makers found their booths walled off with a black barrier in the morning.
A contract with manufacturers Rafael and Elbit will accelerate the laser-defense system, which is meant to relieve pressure from traditional interceptors.
Prof. Alon Pikarsky has no apparent connections to Israel's defense industry, lending a whiff of personal favoritism to the pick, according to local media.
The potential acquisition comes as Israel clashes with the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, which has launched drones and missiles toward Israel.