Israeli officials said the deal would strengthen the country’s ‘independence’ in manufacturing arms [Getty]
Israel’s Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday it had placed multi-year purchase orders for aerial munitions with arms manufacturer Elbit Systems, worth around $200 million.
The ministry said in a statement that deal will prepare the country for what it foresees as a busy decade for its military, as well as for meeting near-term challenges.
Over the last three years, Israel has launched attacks on the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
“We are continuing to strengthen the State of Israel’s independence in munitions production. The IDF must at all times have the means to act with force, speed and without reliance on external factors,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, highlighting the awarding of the contract to an Israeli firm, Elbit.
The ministry noted that the munitions production will take place in Elbit sites across Israel.
In a separate statement, Defence Minister Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram also highlighted the aim of “expanding Israel’s domestic defense manufacturing base”.
“We are not only procuring for the immediate term, but also laying the groundwork that will allow the IDF to face any combat scenario while relying on independent production capabilities, advanced technology and continuity of supply,” Baram said.
Amid its most recent wars on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, Israeli officials have increasingly boasted of the country’s domestic arms production capabilities.
The emphasis on Israel’s alleged ability to stock and replenish its own arsenal has come amid growing opposition within the United States – Israel’s top benefactor of military aid – to arms sales and military aid to Israel. Much of the backlash has been sparked by Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where it has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
In November last year, Axios reported that Israel was seeking to amend its 20-year military aid deal with Washington, ahead of the current deal’s expiry in 2028.
The amendments reportedly inccluded joint US-Israeli research and development, seen as a shift towards weaning off reliance on Washington for weapons.
