New facts about the Israeli weapon … trade rising despite the war

The “Al -Sharq News” website published a report entitled: “Israel is seeking the leadership of arms trade globally”, and it stated:

After Israel launched its war on the Gaza Strip, several weapons exporting countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy imposed restrictions on its military exports to Israel in an attempt to push the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a diplomatic solution to the conflict. On the ground, however, these steps accelerated the pace of Israeli defense production, which reached its highest level.

Today, Israeli manufacturers seek to increase military exports, including weapons, which included the restriction, while the list of buyers includes some of the same countries that imposed restrictions.

Promote local military industries

Israeli arms companies, many of them, have increased by dozens, and their production. For example, Elbit Systems, listed on Tel Aviv and New York, is to create production lines for a ton of tons of MK84, as well as smaller models from the same series, according to Israeli officials who asked not to reveal their identities to address sensitive issues.

“El Pet” and the Israeli Ministry of Defense in August concluded decades of approximately 2.5 billion shekels (700 million dollars) to enhance the production of weapons and chemical compounds used in munitions.

“Israel should be more independent in the production of weapons,” said Bizalil Makhls, CEO of the company.

Over the past year, the ministry has concluded several agreements for the army enough in terms of supplies. In May, it announced a contract worth 2.8 billion shekels (756.8 million dollars) with “Elbit” to supply mortar shells, missiles and other projectiles.

In October, it agreed to a deal worth two billion shekels ($ 541 million) with “Ebit” and the company “Rafael” for the advanced state -owned defense systems, to expand the production of “iron beam”, a missile interception system based on laser developed by Raphael.

Likewise, Zeev Zilber, chief economist of the Ministry of Defense, said in a speech in Tel Aviv in February: “We learned in the difficult way that what we do not have in Israel, often we cannot get from another place.”

Increased military spending after the war

The war, which started after Hamas militants infiltrated the border from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023 in an attack that killed and kidnapped more than 1,400 Israelis, threw a heavy burden on the economy.

Government borrowing increased in 2024 to a record number of 278 billion shekels (75.3 billion dollars), while the budget deficit increased to 6.8% of GDP, and growth decreased to 0.9%, which is the lowest level in decades.

Despite the economic price and the severe damage to Israel after the Gaza Strip destroyed, as the numbers of the Ministry of Health of Hamas indicate the killing of at least 50,000 people, the majority of Israelis supported the war.

When the groups, backed by Iran in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, were involved in the conflict with Hamas, and tens of thousands of Israelis displaced their homes, Israel’s feeling of loss of security and existentiality increased.

Officials now consider strengthening military capabilities, especially by increasing defense exports, will benefit Israel. “Exports are pushing commercial growth, which results in growth in the Israeli economy,” Zilber said.

Government data showed that the Ministry of Defense doubled its budget last year compared to the pre -war period, to reach 154 billion shekels (41.7 billion dollars). She also committed to allocating 220 billion shekels (59.6 billion dollars) to buy ammunition, weapons, fuel and other supplies in the coming years.

More than two -thirds of this amount will be exempted locally, equivalent to four times the level before the war.

The ministry said in a statement in February that these funds will contribute significantly to “strengthening the country’s industrial defense base and reducing dependence on abroad.”

Increase military exports

Israel has always been decisive on the issue of defense investment, as it considers it a priority that is not possible. Before the six -day war in 1967, France, which was then the semi -only arms resource for Israel, complied with the pressure of Arab leaders and declared a ban on providing Israel with weapons.

Today, Israel is ranked eighth among the world’s largest weapons exporters, according to the Stockholm Institute for International Peace Research that tracks global weapons trade. Its military exports amounted to $ 13.2 billion in 2023, equivalent to 6% of its total exports (according to the latest available data).

Through its new efforts, Israel is seeking to consolidate its position as a pioneer in military innovation. In February, Israeli defense companies that included giant institutions and emerging companies have completed sophisticated technologies testing to intercept drones in their various specifications in terms of extent, speed and rise. The government is seeking to finance these systems and enter them into service as soon as possible.

“El Pet” said it is working to develop a laser -based defense systems that may significantly reduce the cost of missile interception. The government also cooperates with “Ebit” in developing advanced systems to enhance the protection of the F -16 fighters and its battlefields in the battles.

These technologies are likely to be offered for sale in foreign markets. (East News)