Weapons in Israel

History

2023: Israel starts shooting down rockets with laser

In mid-October 2023, information appeared that the Israeli Ministry of Defense decided to accelerate the development of an air defense (air defense) laser complex called the Iron Beam. The system is used to intercept missiles launched from the Gaza Strip. Read more here.

2022: Building laser weapons to intercept mines and drones

On April 18, 2022, Rafael announced the successful testing of Iron Beam laser weapons in various conditions against threats on steep trajectories, including UAVs, mortars, missiles and anti-tank missiles. These weapons should complement the Israeli air defense system - the Iron Dome. Read more here.

2021: Israel sells record volume of weapons

On April 12, 2022, the Israeli Ministry of Defense released a report according to which Israeli arms sales reached a new record in 2021. Officials cite a sharp increase in demand for Israeli-made weapons.

The Office of International Defense Cooperation of the Ministry (SIBAT) reported that in 2021 the volume of defense exports amounted to $11.3 billion, an increase from $8.3 billion in 2020. Earlier, exports reached a record high of $9.2 billion in 2017 thanks to several major transactions.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense, published a report according to which sales of Israeli weapons reached a new record in 2021.

Israeli defense exports reached double digits for the first time, up 55% in two years, SIBAT chief Yair Kulas said. Demand for Israeli defense products has grown over the past year, which manifested itself, in particular, in a sharp increase in transactions between the countries, Kulas added.

Europe was the largest buyer of Israeli defense goods, acquiring 41% of total exports, followed by Asia-Pacific at 34% and North America at 12%. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which recently normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, each accounted for 7% of arms purchases. Africa and Latin America accounted for 3%.

Going forward, changing global priorities and partnerships like the Abraham Accords create high demand for Israel's advanced technology systems, Kulas said.

Raketas, missiles and air defense systems accounted for the largest part of exports - 20%, followed by training services - 15%. The export of unmanned aerial vehicles and drones accounted for 9% of all arms sales, as well as radar and electronic warfare systems.

While Israel is well known for its cyber intelligence systems, they accounted for only 4% of all sales in 2021. Officials did not specify which countries they were sold to. Israeli sales of such technology have increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years over accusations that some countries are using them to spy on political dissidents and journalists.

Most of the remaining supplies came from aviation equipment, electronic monitoring, weapons launchers, vehicles and ammunition.

Ministry officials noted that the total number of arms sales between governments has more than tripled compared to 2020 and reached more than $3.3 billion.

Security relations are an integral component of Israel's political relations and our ability to cooperate with other countries, and we are working to strengthen these ties and create new security partnerships, said Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

The peak of defense agreements in 2021 is, first of all, a means of strengthening the security of the State of Israel, he added.[1]

Notes