Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is the largest aerospace and aviation manufacturer in Israel. The company is known for its production of aerial and aerospace systems for both military use and civilian applications. The company was originally founded in 1953 as Bedek Aviation Company. Shimon Peres, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, initiated the development of the company. Peres intended to create a company that had the ability to conduct maintenance and upgrades to aircraft operated by the Israel Defense Forces. Peres also chose the famous aviation engineer and designer Al Schwimmer to become the company’s first president.