Two Israeli defense companies, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, have been removed from a major security project at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after Italy’s highest administrative court ruled that an Italian company should instead take over the contract for the airport’s counter-drone system, the Jerusalem Post reports.

According to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Italy’s Council of State ordered Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), which operates the airport, to replace the Israeli consortium with the Italian electronic warfare company ELT (Elettronica S.p.A.). The decision removes Israeli companies Altintech and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems from one of Italy’s most significant civilian infrastructure security projects.

The ruling reverses a May 2024 decision by the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, which had upheld the original award of the contract to the Israeli consortium. ADR has been given 60 days to complete a new agreement with ELT.

In addition to overturning the earlier ruling, the court directed that the case be referred to the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether the procurement process warrants a criminal investigation.

At the heart of the dispute was the legal classification of the radar system installed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

Experts from Italy’s Defense Ministry concluded that the radar should be considered military equipment based on its technical capabilities, its classification under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and its inclusion in Italy’s national registry of military equipment. According to the court, the required authorizations for importing and operating military equipment had not been obtained.

ADR disputed that assessment, maintaining that the radar is a dual-use system that has already been deployed at other European airports and for securing major public events.

The airport operator said it will comply with the court’s decision while ensuring that security operations continue without interruption, emphasizing that counter-drone protection at Fiumicino Airport will remain fully operational throughout the transition.