A legacy that precedes the State
Few companies in Israel claim a legacy stretching back to before the founding of the State. Fewer still have been embedded in its defense efforts since the days of the underground pre-State defense movements. Magam Safety is one of the rare few. Celebrating its 90th anniversary last year, the company has played a significant role in Israel's national security since its earliest days.
Today, Magam Safety focuses on three core sectors:
- Textile solutions for defense applications
- Inflatable products, such as life vests, rescue boats and rafts
- Rubber-based solutions, the company's largest domain, often based on proprietary formulations
Expertise in fuel systems
"Our main specialization within rubber is fuel systems," says Magam Safety chair and co-owner Amit Tesler. "We manufacture rubber fuel tanks for air, sea and land platforms, including those for aircraft, UAVs, drones and naval vessels. Our primary expertise is with ground systems: we've produced the fuel tanks for every generation of the IDF's Merkava tanks, from the Mk 1 to the current Mk 4."
Why rubber fuel tanks?
- Lighter than traditional metal tanks
- Safer, as rubber is flame-resistant and smolders rather than explodes
- Built with flame-retardant materials to extinguish fires early
- Minimized secondary damage — unlike metal, rubber doesn't create shrapnel when hit
- Simplified maintenance — repairs and replacements are faster and don't require engine removal, unlike conventional military solutions
"We also coat existing metal tanks with rubber, combining the benefits of both materials," adds Tesler.
Self-sealing technology
Magam has undergone several transitions since its founding in Haifa in 1934 by German industrialist Frantz Levy as a belt workshop. During World War II, the company expanded to produce rubber firehoses, and gradually diversified into safety equipment, parachutes and rescue systems. During the 1940s, it tied its fate to the defense world by supporting the underground pre-State defense organization, the Hagana. The 1960s marked another milestone as the company doubled in size and further expanded its product-line. Magam today is led by a trio of former IDF officers: Col. (Reserve) Zvika Tesler, Col. (Reserve) Moshe Daniel and Lt.-Col. (Reserve) Amit Tesler.
Among the company's signature innovations is its proprietary self-sealing fuel tank that automatically seals punctures up to 20 mm in diameter. A next-generation version that will seal 30 mm penetrations is currently in advanced development.
"When a bullet pierces the tank, a chemical reaction is set off between rubber and fuel which seals the breach almost instantly," explains Tesler. "This offers a mid-level solution: effective protection at far less weight than full armor. The technology works not just for rubber tanks, but also for metal and composite designs."
Looking ahead
Magam is currently developing a world-first self-sealing water container. "This is a far more complex challenge because of the lack of a reactive agent like fuel," says Tesler. "We're working on it. If we succeed, it could enable missile-resistant water reservoirs, which don't currently exist."
Israeli-made, globally deployed
Magam Safety's products are used by militaries around the world on their aircraft, naval and ground vehicles, and armored platforms. The company operates from its facility in Tziporit Industrial Park and employs around 80 people.
In collaboration with Magam Safety Ltd.
