Israel has reported record arms exports in 2024, selling approximately $14.8 billion in weapons, surpassing the previous year's record of $13 billion. This increase comes amid ongoing military engagements on multiple fronts, marking the longest conflict in Israel's history.
The data, released by Israel’s Defense Ministry, highlights the rapid escalation of wartime production and the pursuit of new markets, particularly in Europe, where demand for arms has surged due to concerns over Russian aggression. This development provides a rare boost to Israel's domestic economy, which has faced challenges during the ongoing war.
While some weapons were delivered in 2024, others are part of longer-term contracts. The uptick in exports coincides with Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and against Iran and Yemen, which Defense Minister Israel Katz described as a “difficult and complex year of war.”
In addition to its exports, Israel received at least $17.9 billion in military aid from the United States in the year following Hamas's invasion on October 7, 2023, a figure that researchers consider conservative.
Despite the significant volume of Israeli arms exports, they remain relatively small compared to American arms sales, which exceeded $200 billion in the previous fiscal year. Notably, over half of Israel’s arms sales last year—54 percent—were directed to Europe, which is increasing defense spending to replenish military stockpiles affected by the war in Ukraine.
European leaders have expressed growing concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which could jeopardize Israel's arms sales. Recently, Spain’s Defense Ministry canceled a $325 million deal for anti-tank missiles from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, citing a “gradual disconnection of Israeli technology.”
Former President Trump has also questioned Israel's military strategy in Gaza, leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to suggest that Israel may need to reduce its dependence on American security aid, although experts believe it would take years to achieve this.
Following Hamas's attacks, the U.S. provided Israel with various military supplies, including air-defense systems and precision-guided munitions. In February, Trump expedited the sale of over $12 billion in arms to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs previously withheld due to concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.
According to Israel’s Defense Ministry, 48 percent of its foreign arms sales last year consisted of missiles, rockets, and air-defense systems. However, it remains unclear why Israel would sell certain types of weapons that it also requires for its military operations against Hamas.
Experts note that while Israel has significantly benefited from American military aid, which alleviates some burdens on its arms industry, some weapons may take years to produce and may not be immediately available for Israeli use. Additionally, certain sold weapons may differ in features from those used by the Israeli military.
Israeli officials indicated that after the 2014 war with Hamas, they opted to maintain a steady production of arms to ensure quick ramp-up capabilities when needed, a strategy that has helped avoid production shortfalls experienced by Western manufacturers since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
However, ongoing military operations since 2023 have reportedly depleted Israel’s stockpiles of critical defense systems. Analysts noted that Israel faced a shortage of missile interceptors last October, prompting the U.S. to send advanced air-defense systems to assist.
Despite these challenges, Israeli producers have continued to sell air-defense systems to Europe, with Germany set to receive Arrow batteries as part of a $4.3 billion deal, marking Israel’s largest foreign defense contract.