27-03-2025
Israel Aims to Be the World's Arms Dealer
After Israel launched its war in Gaza, arms suppliers such as the US, the UK and Italy restricted military exports to the country in hopes of pushing the government of Benjamin Netanyahu toward a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. The result? Israel's homegrown defense industry went into overdrive, and today it's producing more than ever. Now manufacturers aim to increase exports—including embargoed weaponry—and some potential buyers are the same countries that had imposed restrictions.
Israel's dozens of arms producers have been ramping up production. Elbit Systems Ltd., traded in Tel Aviv and New York, is setting up manufacturing lines for 1-ton aerial bombs known as MK84s as well as smaller versions of the same series, according to Israeli officials who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. And since August, Elbit and the Defense Ministry have signed contracts valued at some 2.5 billion shekels ($700 million) to boost production of weapons and various chemical compounds needed for munitions. 'Israel has to be more independent in armaments production,' says Bezhalel Machlis, Elbit's chief executive officer.
