The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) has signed a $275 million contract with Elbit Systems to manufacture heavy air weapons and raw materials for weapons in a move aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imports.
The deal, which includes two major agreements, comes at a time when Israel is looking to enhance its self-sufficiency in defense production.
The first agreement involves the supply of thousands of heavy air munitions used by the Israeli Air Force, which have been crucial in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This agreement aims to reduce reliance on U.S. weapons shipments, which were delayed last year in some cases due to concerns over indiscriminate use of these bombs. Peace activists accusing Israeli Defence Forces of war crimes have also demanded that countries in Western Europe stop supplying such weapons to Israel.
The second agreement will see Elbit Systems establish a national plant to manufacture raw materials for Israel’s defense industry, which had previously been sourced mainly from abroad. The new facility will feature production lines for energetic materials, strengthening domestic manufacturing independence.
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, emphasized the importance of these deals for Israel's operational endurance and strategic independence. He stated, "Both deals will ensure an independent state capacity to produce bombs and munitions of all kinds. This is a historic move, which we initiated before the war but accelerated during it."