Tel Aviv: Israel's military exports have set a new record. This record has been made when Israel is fighting a war on many fronts simultaneously. According to the new report, Israel has sold more weapons to other countries in 2024 than ever before. Currently Israel is fighting a war in Gaza. At the same time, it is carrying out air strikes and special military operations in Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen. International pressure is also mounting on Israel to end the war in Gaza. Despite this, this country is not ready to bow down and is fighting fiercely with the enemies.
Israel's defense exports at record high
According to new data from the Israeli Defense Ministry, Israel's defense exports in 2024 reached a record US$14.8 billion, breaking the previous high of US$13 billion in 2023, the Eurasian Times reported. Israel recorded a healthy 13% year-on-year increase in arms sales, clearly establishing that its defense exports are untouched by its growing criticism and isolation globally due to the ongoing war in Gaza and allegations of human rights abuses and even genocide.
Israeli exports rise for fourth consecutive year
"This is the highest figure ever and the fourth consecutive year that a new record has been set for Israeli defense exports," the Israeli Defense Ministry said. Israel's growing arms sales during its longest war are in stark contrast to Russia, where defense exports have disintegrated during the war in Ukraine. The data suggests Israel may have expanded into some former Russian arms export markets.
Israel takes over Russia's market
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) calculated that Russian arms exports in the period 2019 to 2023 will decrease by more than half compared to the previous five-year period. Other estimates paint an even more dire picture. According to the Jamestown Foundation, Russia's arms exports are set to fall by 92 percent from 2021 to 2024 due to redirected resources to Ukraine, sanctions, inflation and financing issues. As Russia is losing its legacy defense export markets in Asia from India to Arab countries, Israel has stepped in to fill the gap.
The market for Israeli weapons
According to the data, Europe is the largest market for Israeli arms exports, accounting for 54% of Israel's defense exports. In 2023, Israeli arms exports to Europe accounted for 35%. According to the Ministry of Defense, European countries bought Israeli military products worth about US$8 billion in 2024, compared to US$4.6 billion in 2023. The main reason for this is the Russia-Ukraine war, as Europe is increasing its defense spending and trying to replenish its dwindling military reserves.
Germany goes crazy for Israeli weapons
Israel's landmark deal with Germany for the Arrow 3 air defense system accounted for a large share of these weapons sales. Israel Aerospace Industries signed a US$3.8 billion deal with Germany for the Arrow 3 missile defense system, the largest defense deal in Israel's history. Notably, sales of Israeli weapons to Europe have increased, despite the fact that many European countries are openly criticizing Israel's campaign in Gaza, which is now in its 20th month. Israeli firms were excluded from several major European defense exhibitions last year. In addition, some countries have also halted previously signed defense contracts.
Spain gives blow to Israel
Earlier this week, Spain's Defense Ministry said it had canceled a US$325 million deal for anti-tank missiles manufactured by a subsidiary of Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, part of a "gradual disconnection of Israeli technology." Earlier, Spain also canceled a US$6.6 million ammunition deal with Elbit Systems. However, despite these setbacks, Europe remains an important market for Israeli weapons.
India is also a big buyer of Israel
In Asia, India is a big market for Israeli weapons. According to the SIPRI database, India was the world's second-largest arms importer after Ukraine in the period 2020 to 2024. And Israel was the third-largest arms exporter to India after Russia and France. Israel supplied 13% of all Indian arms imports during this period. Israel is also the Philippines' second-largest arms exporter, supplying 27% of its arms needs.
Israeli arms a hit in Arab countries
12% of Israeli arms exports went to Arab countries, particularly those that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. In 2023, these countries accounted for just 3% of Israeli arms exports. United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan Combined arms sales to the U.S. reached US$1.8 billion, representing 12 percent of Israel's total arms exports. Among them, Morocco signed a deal for Elbit's ATMOS howitzers worth US$229 million. It previously purchased the PULS rocket system and, according to reports, acquired IAI's Barak MX system and a reconnaissance satellite.
