Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will invest 350 billion shekels (about 110 billion dollars) over the next decade to develop an independent arms industry, with the aim of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The announcement was made during a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots and marks a strategic shift in the country's defense policy.
“Together with the defense minister and the finance minister, I approved a 350 billion shekel plan to build a national munitions industry,” Netanyahu stated.
Although he acknowledged that total independence is difficult to achieve, he emphasized that Israel will seek to produce domestically as many of its weapons systems as possible, including some of an aerial nature.
Currently, Israel depends heavily on the United States for fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and helicopters.
However, the country has a solid local defense ecosystem, with companies such as Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which are world leaders in the development of unmanned aerial platforms and advanced technologies.
The decision comes after the experience of the war against Hamas in Gaza, during which Israel faced a wave of restrictions and partial arms embargoes by various countries, including traditional allies.
