BERLIN, June 15 (Reuters) - Israel expects to receive more requests from European countries for air and missile defense systems soon, with at least one contract likely to be signed within weeks, a senior Israeli Defense Ministry official said.

The official added that demand continues to rise as European countries anticipate an increased threat from Russia and seek to strengthen their air defenses, driving interest in systems designed to counter medium-range and short-range ballistic missiles.

"There is great interest from Europe, from Western Europe," said Moshe Patel, director general of the Israel Missile Defense Organization, on the sidelines of the Berlin Air Show, declining to specify which countries.

Israel sold its Arrow air defense system, designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Russian Oreshnik missile, to Germany.

Israel Aerospace Industries developed the missile system in cooperation with the US Missile Defense Agency. Finland purchased the shorter-range David's Sling system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from a distance of 100 to 200 kilometers, at a time when European countries are preparing for the possibility of Russian aggression, which Moscow denies.

Patel noted that the demand is primarily driven by what is happening between Russia and Ukraine, saying, "Of course, they are also looking very closely at what is happening in Iran, and any system that is effective against Russia may also be useful against Iran. What they are doing will be appropriate for such threats."

When asked whether European countries were interested in the Arrow or David's Sling systems, he said there was also interest in the Iron Dome system, which is designed to counter short-range threats.

He added, "This represents a major advantage for countries that have enemies directly on their borders, as this is its primary capability, along with the ability to protect a city or strategic area."

When asked when more contracts related to these systems would be signed, he said that one contract was expected to be concluded within the next few weeks.

Patel explained, "There are also discussions that may lead, perhaps by the end of the year, to the announcement of the accession of more countries. The decision-making process in these countries appears to be accelerating."

Patel declined to elaborate on the expected value of the contracts, only indicating that the talks were about "not insignificant" figures.