
Israel to raise defence spending to meet security challenges
The budget agreement will allow the Defence Ministry to "advance urgent and essential procurement deals critical to national security," the ministries said in a statement.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the new defence budget "fully covers the intense fighting in Gaza, alongside comprehensive security preparations for all threats - from the south, the north, and more distant arenas."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Audiologists: New $99 German Hearing Device Sweeping Canada
risinghealthtrends
Learn More
Undo
Israel's military costs have surged since it launched its military offensive on Gaza following the deadly attacks by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Since then, Israel has also fought Hezbollah in Lebanon and waged a 12-day air war with Iran, and carried out airstrikes in Syria this week after vowing to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanding they withdraw.
Live Events
Over the past 21 months, Israel's missile defence systems have been working almost daily to intercept missiles fired by Hezbollah, Iran and Houthis in Yemen.
Current annual defence spending is 110 billion shekels - about 9% of gross domestic product - out of a total 2025 budget of 756 billion shekels.
The extra budgetary funding "will allow the Defence Ministry to immediately sign procurement deals for the weapons and ammunition required to replenish depleted stocks and support the IDF's ongoing operations," said Amir Baram, director general of the Defence Ministry.
It would also enable the defence establishment to initiate development programs to strengthen the Israel Defence Forces' qualitative edge for future systems, he said.
MULTIPLE SCENARIOS
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the funds would allow Israel to prepare for multiple scenarios since "enemies are openly declaring their intent to destroy us...For this we require complete military, technological and operational superiority."
Separately, the Defence Ministry said it had signed a deal with state-run
Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) to accelerate serial production of Arrow interceptors.
The Arrow, developed and manufactured in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, is a missile defence system designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles.
The Arrow had a high interception rate during the conflicts with Hamas and Iran. As part of the deal, IAI will supply the military with a significant additional amount of Arrow interceptors.
"The numerous interceptions it carried out saved many lives and significantly reduced economic damage," Baram said.
On Wednesday, the ministry signed a $20 million deal with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) to supply advanced machine guns aimed at significantly enhancing the IDF ground forces' firepower capabilities.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mint
20 minutes ago
- Mint
Hezbollah commander Ali Abd al-Qader Ismail 'killed' in Israeli strikes, claims IDF
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Israel Defence Forces on Saturday claimed to have killed a senior Hezbollah commander – Ali Abd al-Qader Ismail – in the Bint Jbeil sector, reported PTI. The IDF even claimed that Ali Abd al-Qader Ismail was one of the Hezbollah commanders who were involved in efforts to rehabilitate the terrorist organisation in southern Lebanon. In a post on X, the IDF said, 'ELIMINATED: Ali Abd al-Qader Ismail, a senior Hezbollah commander in the Bint Jbeil sector, involved in efforts to rehabilitate the terrorist organization in southern Lebanon. The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel.'


Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cong govt claims guarantee schemes improve per capita income in K'taka
Hassan: Claiming BJP is ignorant about understanding economics, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday claimed that owing to five guarantee schemes implemented by the Congress govt, Karnataka today is at number one position in per capita income in India. He was addressing the gathering after launching several development programmes in Arasikere, Hassan, on Saturday. The chief minister claimed that the main reason for this achievement is the increased purchasing power of the people. "Our guarantee schemes are a major reason for this increase in purchasing power. BJP members do not understand economics, which is why they falsely claim that the state govt lacks funds for development and are spreading misinformation," he charged. Despite attempts to mislead the people with politically motivated lies, the public will not be deceived, said Siddaramaiah, adding the govt has spent Rs 1.2 lakh crores on development projects and Rs 56k crores on guarantee schemes. Siddaramaiah also said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clarified his understanding of backward communities during a conference of backward classes in Delhi. He explained that the Congress govt has formulated programmes needed to uplift backward classes, women, Dalits, and the oppressed from all communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Congress is the only party that formulates and implements programmes for social justice and the progress of the poor, fulfilling constitutional values. DCM DK Shivakumar said that Shivalingegowda is working on various projects for the development of Arsikere constituency by establishing a govt engineering college, a polytechnic, and Morarji Desai schools, thus strengthening the educational sector. "People of Hassan elected Shivalingegowda and MP Shreyas Patel to power. We are confident of winning all the seven assembly seats in the next elections," he added. As promised, the state government is implementing guarantee schemes, which have improved in the lives of beneficiaries. "Our guarantee schemes have become a model for the entire country," stated Siddaramaiah. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna, housing minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, and MP Shreyas Patel were present. Devpt projects in Maddur Siddaramaiah will inaugurate development projects and lay the foundation for various other projects — worth of Rs 1,146 crore — at Maddur on July 28. A grand stage has been erected for the occasion, with a front façade inspired by the historic Shivapura Satyagraha Soudha, symbolising the blend of heritage and progress.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Trump plays golfs in Scotland while protesters take to streets, decry his visit
Edinburgh, Jul 26 (AP) President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American. Trump and his son Eric played with the US ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, near Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight, and protesters kept at a distance wand unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white 'USA" cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the US Consulate about 160 kilometres away in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK. Protests were planned in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a 'Stop Trump Coalition." Anita Bhadani, an organiser, said the protests were 'kind of like a carnival of resistance." June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian from Edinburgh wore a red cloak and white hood, recalling 'The Handmaid's Tale." Osbourne held up picture of Trump with 'Resist" stamped over his face. 'I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here," Osbourne said. The dual-US-British citizen said the Republican president was 'the worst thing that has happened to the world, the US, in decades." Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. 'I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything," said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said 'We don't negotiate with fascists." She said 'so many people here loathe him. We're not divided. We're not divided by religion, or race or political allegiance, we're just here together because we hate him." Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the fervour over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, 'the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace." Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out 'because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for." Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted 'Trump Out!" and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like 'No red carpet for dictators," 'We don't want you here" and 'Stop Trump. Migrants welcome." One dog had a sign that said 'No treats for tyrants." Some on the far right took to social media to call for gatherings supporting Trump in places such as Glasgow. Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. But golf is a major focus. The family will also visit another Trump course near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will cut the ribbon and play a new, second course in that area, which officially opens to the public next month. Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who is also set to meet with Trump during the visit, announced that public money will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously known previously as the Scottish Championship, at Trump's first course near Aberdeen next month. 'The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy," Swinney said. At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for." The president has long lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not done since he took over ownership. In a social media post Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Player as saying Turnberry was among the 'Top Five Greatest Golf Courses" he had played in as a professional. The president, in the post, misspelled the city where his golf course is located. (AP) SKS NPK NPK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 22:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.